Graham Mansfield was convicted of manslaughter after slitting his wife's throat as part of a suicide pact because there was a lack of evidence to explain her wishes, the Crown Prosecution Service has explained. Acts motivated by compassion, a voluntary informed decision to end life, suicide pacts and full cooperation with the authorities’ are all scenarios where the CPS usually would be less likely to prosecute people.
But, despite Mr Mansfield's case containing all these factors, prosecutors still decided to pursue charges against the retired Manchester Airport baggage handler, who killed his wife of over 40 years, Dyanne Mansfield, 71, in the garden of their home in Hale, in March 2021. Manchester Crown Court heard that Mrs Mansfield had been ill for some time and was suffering from cancer.
Martin Goldman, CCP for CPS North West said: “This was a tragic case where Dyanne Mansfield lost her life at the hands of her husband.
