Murder accused husband cut wife's throat then tried to kill himself in 'suicide pact', jury told
19.07.2022 - 11:15
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A husband cut his 'loving' wife's throat then tried to kill himself after the couple allegedly agreed to a suicide pact following a cancer diagnosis, a jury heard. Dyanne Mansfield 's dead body was found 'slumped' on a chair in their garden in Hale, Trafford, after her husband Graham called 999.
When police arrived they were met with an 'extraordinary' scene, with Mr Mansfield lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen. He later told police he'd tried to cut his throat and slit his wrists before taking some tablets.
A note addressed to police, written by Mr Mansfield, was found by officers close to his 71-year-old wife's body. It said 'we've decided to take our own lives'.
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A second note addressed to Mrs Mansfield's sister read: "Don’t be too upset. We have had a wonderful and happy life together." Now Mr Mansfield, 73, who 'repeatedly expressed frustration' that he had lived, has gone on trial accused of the murder of his wife.
He denies murder and an alternative count of manslaughter. Mr Mansfield is expected to argue that he is not guilty of murder because he was acting to fulfil a 'genuine' suicide pact, and that he is not guilty of manslaughter as his actions were 'lovingly undertaken' to avoid his wife experiencing 'further severe pain and suffering'.
"The defendant does not dispute that he killed his wife," prosecutor David Temkin QC told jurors. "Nor does he dispute that he cut her throat intending to kill her.
"This short trial will concern the question of why the defendant killed his wife. The defendant maintains that his reason for killing her provides him with a defence. That will