Messages of support flood in after Elgin woods horror attack
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MEMBERS of the Grantown and church community have been left shocked by a serious attack on a popular former town minister and his wife while on a woodland walk in New Elgin.
Rev Morris Smith and Jan suffered serious injuries in the assault at Birkenhill Woods, at about 9am on Monday.
Eighty-three-year-old Frank Kinnis was also assaulted in the vicinity and later died in Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital.
Police have said that Rev Smith and his wife, both aged 70, suffered serious but not life threatening head injuries and remain in a stable condition.
Yesterday David Johnstone (35) from Elgin appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court charged with the murder of Mr Kinnis. He also faces two further charges of attempted murder and two accusations of assaulting or impeding police officers. He has been remanded in custody.
Church of Scotland Minister Smith led worship in Grantown and the surrounding area for more than 25 years before retiring in December 2013.
More than 170 people attended his last service at the town’s Inverallan Church. He also served the wider parish of Cromdale and Advie, and Dulnain Bridge.
The couple moved home to Elgin a short time later.
Rev Smith had recently returned to religious service as an interim moderator for Aberlour.
Inverallan Church elder John Wilson said: “Everyone who knows the Smiths is completely shocked.
“People are visibly stunned when they first hear about it. Most heard the news without knowing who was involved and felt that this was something horrible so close to home.
“But on hearing that Morris and Jan were involved we are all in total shock.
“We always feel we live in such a safe place – the usual thought this can’t happen so close to home – but when it involves people so well known and respected and loved in the community it is awful and frightening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Morris and Jan and their family, and of course with the family of the gentleman who died.
“I gather that Morris and Jan knew him, perhaps from walking dogs regularly in the same area.”
Mr Wilson said the couple had played a large part in the lives of most people in the parish.
He said: “We pray for a speedy recovery for them both, and that they will not be too affected by such a tragic event.”
Family friend Rev Mary Duncanson described the incidents as ‘senseless’.
She said: “Everyone was totally shocked to hear the news – not just that Morris and Jan had been attacked so mindlessly but that things like that could even happen up here.
“We are still waiting to hear about the extent of their injuries and wishing them well, but it was absolutely shocking to hear that the other dog-walker had since died.
“We have heard that their dog is safe and well.
“I worked very well with Morris as his local ordained minister before he left the area and I know that everyone else will be wishing him and Jan a speedy recovery. They are in all our thoughts right now and we’re just waiting to hear more details.
“It’s all so senseless.”
Rev Morris, who pens Thought for the Week pieces for the Strathy, was described by his congregation at the time of his departure as a very hard act to follow.
They said during his time in charge he had led the business of the congregation very efficiently and kept everyone in good humour whilst providing wise guidance.
He also had close ties with the town’s primary school being a parent council member and regularly attended assemblies.
Mr Kinnis’ devastated family have paid tribute to their “beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather”.
They said: “He was a doting, warm-hearted and unfailingly dependable presence in each of our lives.”
Anyone with information can contact the police on 101, quoting reference number 0667 of Oct 21 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 to remain completely anonymous.
