‘Editor killed wife in episode of temporary insanity’

▶ Lawyer for former Gulf News chief reveals defence strategy to court

A Dubai newspaper editor neither planned the killing of his wife nor intended to fatally strike her, his lawyer said as he urged the court to amend a premeditated murder charge that could lead to a death penalty.

Francis Matthew, 61, hit his wife with a hammer during a row about financial problems in what Ali Al Shamsi described as a moment of “temporary insanity”.

The British journalist should instead face a charge of “physical assault leading to death”, he told Judge Fahd Al Shamsi at Dubai Criminal Court.

Matthew, who was editorat-large at Gulf News until his arrest and prosecution, killed his wife of 30 years, Jane, by hitting her twice on the head with a hammer at their home in Umm Suqeim 1 on July 3.

Prosecutors said he went to work the next day, then returned and called police, claiming his wife had been attacked by thieves, an assertion quickly ruled out by police.

Matthew and his lawyer maintain that the killing was unintentional. “Premeditated murder means previous planning and criminal intent, which my client didn’t have,” the lawyer told the court.

“A man who had already planned to travel back home [to the UK] with his wife for their son’s graduation and for her parents’ anniversary certainly did not previously plan a murder nor did he have any intent to end his wife’s life.

“What happened, your honour, was the outcome of a moment of temporary insanity provoked by the wife’s actions, when she learnt that Francis was facing financial problems.”

The lawyer said prosecutors had failed to present any evidence showing criminal intent or premeditation and he submitted that Matthew’s attempt to cover up the crime did not constitute premeditated murder, claiming instead that his client was “in denial”.

Mr Al Shamsi presented a signed document to the court, from the deceased’s family including their son, which he said stated that the family did not wish Matthew to be prosecuted for murder.

According to prosecution records, Matthew reported that his wife had been assaulted by thieves on July 4 last year and police arrived at the couple’s home at 5.45pm.

The victim was found dead in her bed with a severe head wound.

During questioning, the defendant said he left home for work about 8am and returned about 5pm to find his wife dead. He denied having anything to do with her murder but police said he later admitted to hitting her on the head twice with a hammer.

Matthew allegedly told officers that he had told his wife he was facing financial difficulties and that they would need to relocate to a smaller apartment instead of their villa.

Police said he told them problems then began between the two and the victim allegedly provoked Matthew, calling him a loser and saying that his responsibility was to provide money.

The court has heard from four Emirati police officers, a Sri Lankan gardener and an Egyptian forensic expert – all of whom gave incriminating testimony. It also listened to the testimonies of Matthew’s son, brother and sister.

A verdict is expected on March 25.