Man Denies Racist Murder of Scientist in Dundee as Trial Date Set

A 21-year-old man has denied the racist murder of scientist Dr. Fortune Gomo in Dundee, Scotland, as a trial date was set for the case. Kyler Rattray pleaded not guilty to the charge during a virtual hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Dr. Gomo was found fatally injured on the street last year and received medical attention at the scene, but could not be saved. Her death caused considerable shock in Dundee, according to Police Scotland. She was originally from Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe, had recently completed her PhD at the University of Dundee, and had begun working for Scottish Water.

Rattray is alleged to have repeatedly struck Dr. Gomo with a knife. His defense team is exploring a potential mental health defense, including whether Rattray has autism, which could affect his responsibility for the crime. Professor Baron Cohen has been instructed to provide a report on this matter, though no timeline for its delivery has been set. The defense asked for a trial date to be fixed to progress the case, acknowledging it has been ongoing for some time and that the victim's family needs closure.