Stuart Denney QC and Elizabeth Dudley-Jones defended John Martin before Mrs Justice Laura Cox

Stuart Denney QC and Elizabeth Dudley-Jones defended Norwegian born John Martin before Mrs Justice Laura Cox at Manchester Crown Court in a trial lasting four weeks.

John Martin was tried for the murder of his famous pianist wife Natalia Strelle (Strelchenko) and the attempted murder of a male youth. He strangled her and caused 71 separate, severe injuries and asserted he had no memory of having done so. 

A defence of diminished responsibility was advanced based on him having a combination of depression, diazepam and alcohol. The jury found him guilty of murder but he was found not guilty of attempted murder, thus substantially reducing the sentencing tariff to 18 years.

They were instructed by Miss Karen Rolls of Clifford Johnson solicitors, Manchester.

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