‘Depressed’ bassist can’t remember killing pianist wife

The 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.