LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AP) — A British woman was charged Tuesday with murdering her husband, who was found stabbed to death in their home on the…
LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AP) — A British woman was charged Tuesday with murdering her husband, who was found stabbed to death in their home on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi.
Samantha Ann Jones, 51, was detained after police found a blood-stained knife in the couple’s home where John William Jones, 62, was found dead Oct. 18 with a stab wound in his chest. She was handcuffed and escorted by police, with her face lowered and covered by her hair, as she was brought to the courtroom.
Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo said Jones was asked by a court official if she understood the charge and she replied yes.
Kaur said Jones didn’t enter a plea because the magistrate court has no jurisdiction to hear murder cases, and the case is expected to be transferred to a high court.
“She is very, very overwhelmed. It is her husband at the end of the day. She is also grieving for him despite the circumstances of the case but she is holding up,” Kaur said.
The next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 29, when prosecutors are expected to provide the defense with the post mortem, forensic and other reports, Kaur said.
Police earlier said Jones confessed she stabbed her husband in the chest during a heated argument. The couple moved to the tropical island 11 years ago under the Malaysia My Second Home program, which gives foreigners long-stay visas.
Murder carries a mandatory death sentence by hanging, but Malaysia’s government recently announced plans to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. It said all executions will be put on hold pending changes to the laws.
