The step-father of a Fife man who died from a stab wound to the chest is to stand in the forthcoming Cowdenbeath by-election as part of a campaign for justice.
Stuart Graham and his wife Margaret have long claimed the death of Colin Marr, Margaret’s son, was not properly investigated.
The 23-year-old died in 2007 at a house in Lochgelly he shared with girlfriend, Candice Bonar, after a kitchen knife went through his breast bone and pierced his heart.
Bonar told a fatal accident inquiry she didn’t kill him and Sheriff Alastair Dunlop could not decide whether the death was suicide or homicide.
Stuart and Margaret Graham have formed The Victims’ Final Right Party and Mr Graham plans to stand in the by-election on January 23 caused by the death of Helen Eadie MSP.
Speaking to The Courier, he said: “The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, has repeatedly refused to meet with our family leaving us at a loss as to how to pursue these serious issues, so a by-election on our doorstep seemed like the obvious next route for us to take in the campaign.”
Margaret said: “We believe there is a significant shortfall in delivering both quality of investigation and transparency within our justice system.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have every sympathy with the family of Colin Marr for the tragic loss of their son and hope a resolution to this case is achieved as soon as possible.
“This case has been the subject of ongoing reviews and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner is thoroughly investigating complaints from the Graham family referred to them by Police Scotland.”
A police spokesman said: “We are unable to comment as the matter is still with the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.”