Courts / Sligo / Report

Wife strangled by husband told him she wanted her own life, trial hears

Date
2021-05-11

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Sligo

County
Sligo

Summary

Rafal Karaczyn, 35, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, Natalia Karaczyn, but guilty to her manslaughter. The alleged killing occurred at their family home in Crozon Park, Sligo, between April 29th and May 1st, 2018. Mr Karaczyn admits to unlawfully strangling his wife and accepting sole responsibility for her death. Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Ms Karaczyn died from asphyxiation due to pressure applied to her neck. She noted bruises on the chin, eyes, scalp, and left arm, with the arm injury potentially defensive. Dr Mulligan stated death was not instantaneous but could not determine the duration of pressure. The jury heard text messages from December 2017 to March 2018, where Ms Karaczyn told her husband she wanted her own life and asked him to leave her alone, while he repeatedly pleaded for forgiveness. Det Garda Oliver McHale presented these messages, describing them as bickering. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of eight women and four men. Det Garda McHale's evidence was adjourned to continue the following day.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wife strangled by husband told him she wanted her own life, trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his wife, Ms 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 1, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
April 28 Other
December 2017 Other
March 4 Other
March 26 Other
2021-05-11 Publication

Why: The pathologist explained that the bone is often fractured in strangulation cases but in younger people it is more flexible and less likely to fracture. CNI source report

Case subjects

Rafal Karaczyn

Defendant

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

Plea: Not guilty