After being exonerated of her murder, a pensioner who attempted to commit suicide by cutting the throat of his dying wife is now free to go. Dyanne Mansfield, 71, who had cancer, allegedly requested her husband Graham Mansfield to kill her “when things go nasty.” When Mansfield’s wife of 40 years passed away in “extraordinary circumstances,” the judge ruled that he “acted out of love” and had been under “immense emotional pressure.”
Graham Mansfield was cleared of murder by a jury at Manchester Crown Court
Mansfield was found not guilty of murder but was sentenced to two years in jail with a two-year suspension for manslaughter. The retired baggage handler for an airport told the Manchester Crown Court that although his wife’s plea was the “saddest words he had ever heard,” he consented to it so long as he could also commit himself. He was discovered on the morning of March 24, 2017, at the couple’s Hale, Greater Manchester, home while Mrs. Mansfield’s body was found slumped in a chair at the foot of their garden.
After Mansfield called 999 and informed the operator that he had killed his wife at 9 p.m. the day before and then attempted to kill himself, police and paramedics arrived at the semi-detached home in Canterbury Road. Mrs. Mansfield’s windpipe was severed, and she was bleeding profusely from a 6.3-inch (16-cm) gaping incised hole. Her body was discovered with three knives and a lump hammer nearby.
On the dining room table was a note addressed to their family. It read: “We apologize for the inconvenience, but there is no other option. We agreed to this when Dyanne was told she had cancer. As the months passed and things deteriorated, it simply confirmed our conclusion that the time had come since I couldn’t stand to live without Dyanne. Hope everyone can understand. Don’t be overly upset. Together, we have lived a lovely and contented life.”
The court was informed that Mrs. Mansfield did not sign either note. Mansfield received surgery for injuries to his neck and both wrists after being detained on murder suspicion at the scene. After speaking with the couple’s family, friends, and neighbors, police learned that these people had positive things to say about the defendant and his “unwavering devotion” to his wife. When it was suggested that he had killed her as part of a suicide pact, some even didn’t seem surprised, the jury was told.
Speaking outside the court, Mansfield reportedly stated that his wife would be “furious” to learn that he had a criminal record and urged lawmakers to reform the laws governing euthanasia and terminal illness. Nobody should have to experience what we did, he said. “My wife isn’t here today, which is unfortunate. That’s what we had to do; she shouldn’t have had to perish under such cruel conditions.”
According to the Daily Mail, Mr. Justice Goose said the offender during sentencing “The circumstances of this case are tragic for you and unique in this court’s past cases. You were under intense emotional stress. I’m confident that your actions were motivated by love for your wife.”
Mrs. Mansfield’s brother Peter Higson read a statement to the court in which he said “My sister is sorely missed. My knowledge of her severe illness and excruciating anguish prevented me from being shocked by her passing. The manner of her passing was shocking, nevertheless. Having said that, I am able to comprehend the situation Graham was in. When my own wife passed away from cancer, I found myself in a similar circumstance. I have no ill will toward Graham and will cherish our friendship moving forward. I would be quite upset if Graham were given an immediate prison term. Graham has already through too much pain, in my opinion, and he will never fully recover.”
TheAncenstry
