The 42-year-old former public school hockey coach, Mohamed Samak, faced intense questioning in court today after admitting he was a “deceitful man who lies” during his cross-examination.
Samak is accused of murdering his wife, Joanne Samak, a 49-year-old interior designer, in an incident that took place at their home in Droitwich, Worcestershire.
Samak Claims Wife Took Her Own Life But Is Questioned by Prosecutor
Samak, who once worked at the prestigious Malvern College, denied the charge of murder, instead claiming that his wife tragically took her own life.
He stated that Joanne had stabbed herself in the chest and stomach after struggling with her mental health and alcohol issues.
However, during the trial, prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC questioned his version of events, accusing Samak of fabricating his story.
Samak, in a candid admission, agreed with the prosecutor’s accusation, acknowledging that he had lied to protect himself after finding his wife in distress.
Discrepancies and the Investigation into the Couple’s Troubled Marriage
Samak’s version of the events surrounding his wife’s death continued to unravel as he was confronted with discrepancies in his statements.
The jury heard that Samak had waited an hour before calling emergency services, despite finding his wife with stab wounds after stepping out of the bathroom.
He also claimed to have performed CPR on her, but his actions were brought into question, as police officers reported no blood on him, unlike the attending officer who had blood on his gloves from performing CPR.
Samak, who is also a qualified lifeguard, explained that he avoided touching the wounds, but the prosecution raised doubts about the credibility of his testimony.
Family and Friends Defend Joanne Samak’s Character and Struggles
Prosecutors highlighted evidence that contradicted Samak’s claims of his wife being a heavy drinker.
Messages from Joanne’s close friends and family painted a different picture, showing that she was not struggling with alcoholism, despite Samak’s attempts to portray her as an “out-of-control alcoholic.”
They also revealed that Joanne had been active in starting her own interior design business and had plans for her upcoming 50th birthday and a holiday abroad.
Tensions in Samak’s Marriage and Financial Troubles
Throughout the trial, it became clear that the Samaks’ marriage had been strained for some time.
Samak admitted that he had feelings for a former acquaintance, and that the couple’s relationship was far from perfect.
He also faced financial difficulties, which may have contributed to the tensions in their marriage.
The couple had met in 2011 during Joanne’s holiday in Egypt, and after their marriage in 2014, Samak landed a coaching job at Malvern College and worked with the under-18 Welsh national hockey team.
Prosecutor Accuses Samak of Character Assassination
The prosecutor sharply criticized Samak’s attempt to characterize his wife as a problematic drinker, accusing him of a “character assassination” in a bid to justify her death as a suicide.
Samak, however, denied any intent to portray Joanne as an alcoholic, insisting that he was only explaining her struggles with alcohol.
The trial continues as the jury weighs the evidence presented, with Samak continuing to deny the murder charge.