‘Depressed’ bassist can’t remember killing pianist wife
mainThe double-bass player John Martin has been giving evidence at his trial in Manchester, where he is accused of strangling and beating to death Natalia Strelchenko, 38, on their second wedding anniversary, after domestic rows.
Martin, 48, said: ‘I perfectly understand that I must be the man behind this.’
He went on to say: ‘Natalia got angry because I was drinking wine, she tried to take it away from me..and then she just left the room. After that it’s blurry, I barely remember anything after that point. I have had a flashback that I strangled someone but I’m not sure if it’s some kind of imagination.’
Martin testified to a history of depression and said his wife twice saved him from suicide, lastly in April 2015.
The trial continues. Report here.
This is not at all a funny story, but the following letter commenting on a Guardian headline provides a bit of light relief:
Subheader seen on p14 of Friday’s Guardian (11 March): “Double bass player denies killing successful musician.” Journalists know how to hurt.
Paul Scott (Double bass, Glenn Miller Orchestra)
Ilford, Essex
She took his wine and she was a pianist? I’m not condoning it, but I understand.
A flippant, not to say facetious, remark.
It looks like a terrible Ibsen drama. Just awful.