A British man is facing up to 25 years in prison as he goes on trial accused of murdering his wife in their Spanish home. The suspect, identified only as Michael John C, was arrested on December 4, 2022, after 57-year-old Vanessa Elizabeth was found dead outside their property in Camposol, Murcia.
Prosecution's account of the alleged attack
Michael was charged with aggravated murder after initially insisting his partner had died in an accident. Public prosecutors, in a pre-trial indictment, alleged that during an argument after a day of drinking in local pubs, Michael 'suddenly, and abusing his physical superiority over his wife, began to hit her violently in the face and body, causing her to fall to the ground in front of the house and in front of her vehicle.'
The indictment further claimed that he 'kicked her forcefully all over her body several times, jumped on her, immobilised her, and covered her mouth, compressing her chest' with the intention of inflicting 'great pain and severe physical and psychological suffering.'
Defence claims accidental death
His defence lawyer presented a different version of events, suggesting Michael could have knocked her over while reversing without realising, after she got out of their car to ensure their dogs didn't escape. The lawyer said in previous comments: 'Not seeing Vanessa return, he got out of the car and found her lying on the ground, just a few inches from the car, with her head next to the curb, motionless. He approached her and said, "Hello, hello, wake up." She didn't react, and he saw that she was bleeding.'
The defence is seeking acquittal, arguing there was no 'will to kill' and an absence of 'any conduct aimed at causing the victim's death'. Alternatively, the lawyer said a manslaughter verdict with mitigating factors, including alcohol consumption, would be the only 'legally possible outcome.'
Background and next steps
The couple had moved to the house where the incident occurred a few days earlier, after living in other nearby towns. The expat had been reported to police for domestic violence several times in the past, though no active register was in place on Spain's VioGen system, created in 2004 as part of a national law against gender violence.
Michael is expected to take the stand on October 30, according to local reports.
