British woman goes on trial in Malaysia for stabbing her ‘abusive’ husband to death as she insists ‘I loved him’ in bid to avoid the death penalty
- Samantha Jones, 54, went on trial for murder at Malaysia’s High Court Monday
- She faces death by hanging for stabbing husband John, 63, to death in 2018
- She wants charge downgraded to manslaughter, which carries 30 years in jail
- Jones says she acted in self-defence after suffering years of physical abuse
A British woman has gone on trial in Malaysia for stabbing her husband to death as she makes a desperate bid to avoid the death penalty.
Samantha Jones, 51, could be sentenced to death by hanging if she is found guilty of ‘murder with intent’ for stabbing husband John, 63, to death at their home on the island of Langkawi in 2018.
Her legal team want the charge downgraded to manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years, saying she acted in self-defence after suffering years of physical abuse.
Samantha Jones, 51, from Somerset, has gone on trial in Malaysia for stabbing her husband to death as she faces being sentenced to death by hanging
John Jones, 63, died from a single stab wound to the liver on October 18, 2018, at the couple’s house on the island of Langkawi after an argument
Appearing in court for the first day of her trial on Monday while wearing a mask and handcuffs, she insisted: ‘I loved that man.’
Jones, a former insurance clerk, and John, a retired fireman, moved to Malaysia 13 years ago from Somerset after falling in love with the country on a holiday in 2002.
But she claims their ‘new life’ quickly turned into ‘hell in paradise’ as John – a father-of-two and grandfather-of-four – drank heavily and physically abused her.
Jones says she acted in self-defence after suffering years of physical abuse at the hands of her husband (pictured together)
Jones says she reported John twice to the police in the UK before they moved for abusing her, but felt unable to go to police in Malaysia because the subject is ‘taboo’.
Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo says Jones had suffered a broken jaw during one beating, and feared that John would kill her one day.
Friends in the area have previously claimed that John banned her from talking to other men and even attacked her with a sword on one occasion.
On the day of the killing – October 18, 2018 – John had been out all day drinking with his ex-pat friends when he returned home and an argument broke out.
She claims she was punched in the face and kicked in the stomach before grabbing a knife in self defence, as John goaded her to stab him.
Jones says she ran to the bathroom clutching the knife, before stabbing John in the chest as he renewed his attack on her – with the knife piercing his liver.
Lawyers for Jones are attempting to have the charge downgraded to manslaughter, which carries a penalty of 30 years (pictured, the couple’s bloody bedroom)
Jones says she grabbed a knife (pictured) after her husband punched her in the face and kicked her in the stomach, but police say she had no injuries
She then ran to a neighbour to call for help, but by the time an ambulance arrived, John had bled to death.
She was arrested and charged with murder, and has been languishing in jail on the island since then.
During early court hearings, she appeared barefoot and with matted hair. On Monday she appeared more composed – with her hair tied up and a mask on.
Speaking ahead of the trial, Deo told The Mirror: ‘The one thing she wants everyone to know is she really loved this man.
‘He had a lot of problems and she was standing by him and working it through.
‘She never imagined anything like this could ever happen. She’s lost her husband and home. She is still grieving, it has been a traumatic experience.
‘We are of the view the facts of the case do not support a murder charge.’
Jones’ family members arrive at court in Malaysia for the first day on her trial on Monday