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Tourist dies months after attack Tourist dies months after attack
(1 day later)
An American primary school teacher who was attacked in the Highlands in the summer has died. A US primary school teacher who was attacked in the Highlands in the summer has died.
Marty Layman-Medonca, 57, was left brain damaged after being attacked by Colin Ross, 34, from Inverness. Marty Layman-Mendonca, 57, was left brain damaged after being attacked by Colin Ross, 34, from Inverness.
He has since admitted attempted murder but sentencing was deferred until next month for background reports.He has since admitted attempted murder but sentencing was deferred until next month for background reports.
A Crown Office spokeswoman was unable to say how the death would affect the court case, or whether a new charge of murder would be brought against Ross.A Crown Office spokeswoman was unable to say how the death would affect the court case, or whether a new charge of murder would be brought against Ross.
However, this may be unlikely due to the fact that the case has progressed so far. However, this may be unlikely due to the fact that the case has progressed to the point of sentencing.
Ms Layman-Medonca was on holiday in the Highlands when she was attacked while walking the Great Glen Way near Inverness in July. Scottish legal expert Alastair Bonnington said Ross' case had now "gone so far down the road" that it would be legally inappropriate and "unfair" to revisit the matter and substitute a charge he has been facing for some time with a more serious one.
The man who did it is out of the realms of normality Friend Jack Fraser
Ms Layman-Mendonca was on holiday in the Highlands when she was attacked while walking the Great Glen Way near Inverness in July.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how Ross struck her on the head with a metal pipe and a boulder at least 19 times and left her for dead.The High Court in Glasgow heard how Ross struck her on the head with a metal pipe and a boulder at least 19 times and left her for dead.
'Terrific person'
She spent almost two months at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness before being flown home to the US last month. She died on Tuesday.She spent almost two months at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness before being flown home to the US last month. She died on Tuesday.
Her daughter, Jody, said: "I am devastated."Her daughter, Jody, said: "I am devastated."
'Terrific person'
Jack Fraser, one of her friends in the Black Isle, near Inverness, said he did not believe Ross should ever be allowed out of prison.
He said: "The man who did it is out of the realms of normality.
"I don't think he should be allowed out."
Mr Fraser said he was shocked by Ms Layman-Mendonca's injuries when she visited her in Raigmore Hospital in Inverness after the attack.
He said: "She was in such a state I couldn't look at her for more than a few seconds. I thought I was going to fall on the floor - I had to go away out."
Christopher Ashley, the principal at the White River School in Vermont where Ms Layman-Mendonca taught, said: "From our perspective she was a terrific person."Christopher Ashley, the principal at the White River School in Vermont where Ms Layman-Mendonca taught, said: "From our perspective she was a terrific person."
Ms Layman-Mendonca was walking the Great Glen Ways
He said she had come from a "tough background, but worked really hard for herself and her daughter and put herself through college".He said she had come from a "tough background, but worked really hard for herself and her daughter and put herself through college".
Mr Ashley said she had become an avid hiker and had climbed most of the peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Mr Ashley said Ms Layman-Mendonca had become an avid hiker and had climbed most of the peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains.
She was a member of the Green Mountain Club Montpelier Section.
The group recently held a memorial walk at Hartford High School football field in Vermont.
Stations were set up along the walk - dubbed Marty's Trail - to educate walkers on aspects of safe hiking.
Church-goers in Inverness joined members at the Valley Bible Church in White River Junction to raise funds to move the comatose woman nearer to home.Church-goers in Inverness joined members at the Valley Bible Church in White River Junction to raise funds to move the comatose woman nearer to home.