Court told of killing, beer
2003-11-10 19:55
Johannesburg - A Krugersdorp man on trial for allegedly murdering his wife appeared in Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
Simon Patrick Starke, 44, allegedly murdered Elda Joan Starke on November 22 last year. She died from brain injuries and a slit throat.
Starke claimed he had no memory of the murder. He said he had bathed, made supper and waited for his wife to return from work.
"She came home after 7pm. The next thing I knew, I was standing there and she was lying face down on the floor.
"I had blood on my hands and on my short pants. I phoned my mother. The police arrived. That is all I can remember," said Starke.
Their daughter was out with a friend.
Starke phoned his mother in Cape Town to tell her he had killed his wife and she should phone the police.
Asked if he could finish his beer
When the police arrived at the couple's house in Krugersdorp they found Starke's wife dead and covered with a blanket. Starke was in the kitchen drinking a beer.
He apparently asked the arresting officer to allow him to finish the beer before taking him away.
Starke was sent for mental observation and found fit to stand trial.
The prosecution would argue the couple had a stormy relationship and they had quarrelled the day before the killing.
After filing for divorce in January 2002, Elda Starke had returned to her husband when he went for psychological treatment.
The prosecution planned to prove the killing was intentional and Starke was in full control and possession of his faculties at the time.
- SAPA