Friend felt murder accused was 'mentally devastated' and suicidal

At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, a witness testified that Rafal Karaczyn, aged 34, of Crozon Park, Sligo, appeared emotionally distressed in the months preceding his wife's death. The friend told the jury he believed Karaczyn was depressed and suicidal, and had invited him to move in to escape trouble. Karaczyn has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his wife Natalia, aged 30, who died at their home between 29 April and 1 May 2018. The witness stated he never observed violent behaviour and was shocked to learn of her death. During cross-examination, he acknowledged he is not medically qualified and that Karaczyn declined to move out immediately, preferring to remain until after his son's First Holy Communion. The court also heard new translations of Karaczyn's confession to gardaí, in which language previously translated as "under big stress" may alternatively mean he acted in an uncontrolled manner or rage. The jury returns tomorrow for closing arguments.