Full Breakdown
Woman Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Partner After Being Deemed Unfit for Trial
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On February 17, 2023, Katherine Ramage shot her partner, Mr Kowbel, at their home in Galashiels. The injury was severe; Mr Kowbel later died at Borders General Hospital in Melrose. Ramage told police and paramedics that she had discharged an “airsoft pistol,” but investigators determined she used an air rifle and was in possession of the weapon without the required firearm certificate.
Legal Findings
A High Court examination of facts in Edinburgh, conducted earlier this year, resulted in Judge Morris finding Ramage responsible for Mr Kowbel’s death. The court also noted the illegal possession of the air rifle. Prior to this, Judge Susan Craig had ruled Ramage unfit to stand trial after a hearing in March 2022, invoking the legal standard that an examination of facts replaces a trial when a defendant is deemed unfit due to mental disorder.
Mental-Health Context
Ramage’s defence counsel, Mark Stewart KC, reported awaiting a written psychological assessment; a verbal report from the attending medic described her as “clearly unfit” because of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a need for long-term treatment. The attending doctor criticized the lack of medical treatment Ramage received over the previous two years, stating that without intervention from her GP and family she would likely have been sectioned for her own safety, given her risk of self-harm.
Procedural Status
Ramage’s final disposal was scheduled for a hearing in Edinburgh last month but was postponed to allow completion of a pre-sentencing social-work report. The deferment ensures that sentencing considerations can incorporate the forthcoming social-work findings.
Implications
The case highlights the intersection of firearm regulation, mental-health assessment, and criminal responsibility in Scotland. It underscores the legal mechanisms that address defendants deemed unfit for trial while still holding them accountable for serious offenses.