Man accused of murdering wife weeps in the dock as he describes 'suicide pact' conversation

A man accused of murdering his wife has recalled the conversation in which he says she asked him to kill her as part of a 'suicide pact' - telling a jury they were the 'saddest words [he has] ever heard'. Graham Mansfield, 73, denies the murder and manslaughter of his wife, 71-year-old Dyanne, who jurors have heard had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Mr Mansfield told Manchester Crown Court he and his wife of more than 40 years agreed they would end their lives when things became 'too bad' for Mrs Mansfield. She was found slumped in a chair in their garden at their home on Canterbury Road, Hale, in March last year, the court heard. Mr Mansfield was found bloodied in the kitchen.

The court has previously heard Mr Mansfield told police that after drinking two whiskies for 'Dutch courage', he slit his wife's throat then tried to kill himself. Mr Mansfield said he'd then tried to cut his throat, before slitting his wrists and taking tablets.

"The defendant does not dispute that he killed his wife," prosecutor David Temkin QC has previously told jurors. "Nor does he dispute that he cut her throat intending to kill her.

"This short trial will concern the question of why the defendant killed his wife. The defendant maintains that his reason for killing her provides him with a defence. That will be for you to decide."

Giving evidence on Wednesday (July 20) - day three of the trial - Mr Mansfield said the 'nightmare' began when he wife was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She had previously suffered from bladder cancer and had one of her kidneys removed following another diagnosis, he said. She was in good health for around 17 years, Mr Mansfield told jurors.

In October 2020, following an MRI scan, he said they were