John White and Martyn Smith died following attacks by Oskars Rancevs in Castle Road, Oban on 1 October 2018.
Oskars Rancevs was ordered to be detained indefinitely at the State Hospital on 5 February 2020.
Unlike a criminal trial, an FAI seeks to establish the facts surrounding the death and is not a hearing which apportions blame.
The purpose of an inquiry is to establish the circumstances of the death and to consider what steps, if any, may be taken to prevent other deaths in similar circumstances.
The Procurator Fiscal, who acts in the public interest, led expert evidence on the facts and circumstances of the deaths of John White and Martyn Smith at the FAI in which other interested parties were represented.
Following the publication of the determination, Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS said:
“The Lord Advocate considered that the deaths of John White and Martyn Smith occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern.
“This FAI ensured a full public airing of the evidence of the procurator fiscal’s wider investigations. The evidence was tested and the subject of an independent judicial determination.”
“The families of John White and Martyn Smith have been provided with a copy of the sheriff’s determination, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”
Further information
For more information on Fatal Accident Inquiries see the Crown’s guide.