Abused woman acquitted of husband’s death

A WOMAN, 66, sentenced to prison for killing her husband, has been acquitted.

Maria Pilar Marcos, from Navarra, northern Spain, was a victim of domestic violence who had been abused by her husband for more than 40 years. The couple had five children.

In November 2009, during an argument, the man hit her, causing her to lose her balance and fall against a table from which she picked up a knife.

When he lunged at her, she held out the knife and injured his arm. He grabbed her and pushed her against the sink, where she allegedly turned and stabbed him in the chest and neck, which led to his death. She attempted to save his life and called the emergency services.

In October 2010, she was acquitted of manslaughter charges on grounds of self defence.

However, the Supreme Court ordered that the trial be held again, and she accepted three years in prison in a deal which meant she could avoid a trial.

Now, the government has issued an acquittal which means she will not see the inside of a cell.