Courts / Sligo / Report

Jury watch video footage of accused husband explain how he strangled wife

Date
2020-03-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Sligo

County
Sligo

Summary

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has viewed video evidence from Ballymote Garda Station in which a man described to detectives how he killed his wife. Rafal Karaczyn, aged 34, from Crozon Park in Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The footage, recorded on 2 May 2018, showed Mr Karaczyn explaining to gardaí that he strangled his 30-year-old wife Natalia at their home between 29 April and 1 May 2018. During the interview, he demonstrated the actions using a toilet roll held in both hands. The court heard that Mr Karaczyn was placed on suicide watch by District Court order the day after his admission. Earlier interviews were also shown to the jury, in which Mr Karaczyn had denied involvement and alleged that an unknown man had threatened him. The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury watch video footage of accused husband explain how he strangled wife. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old wife Natalia Karaczyn, at their family home in Crozon Park between April 29th, 2018 and May 1st, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

April 29th, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
May 1st, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2nd, 2018 Other
Sunday, April 29th, 2018 Other
May 3rd, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
May 1, 2018 Other
Saturday, April 29th Hearing Or Sentence
Sunday, April 30th Hearing Or Sentence
2020-03-10 Publication

Why: I got better until December because later on Natalia said I have to leave the house, I have to move. CNI source report

Case subjects

Rafal Karaczyn

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old wife Natalia Karaczyn, at their family home in Crozon Park between April 29th, 2018 and May 1st, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty