Morton Makroro, who pleaded guilty recently to killing his wife Emson in 2010, took the stand earlier this week at a sentencing hearing seeking a reduced jail term.
A police detective countered Makroro’s testimony by telling High Court Judge James Plasman that the victim had so many cuts it was impossible to count the number accurately.
The murder has stimulated a strong response against domestic violence from the national women’s organization, Women United Together Marshall Islands.
While Makroro said he regretted what happened, he also told the court that it was his wife’s actions that fueled his assault with a knife. He said after he returned home from drinking with friends a year ago August, she attacked him verbally, and made an insulting remark about his mother.
Makroro then explained that he suffers from diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol levels that “make it hard for me to cope (in jail).”
Police investigators were called to testify about the murder.
Detective Carney Terry said she sustained multiple slashing and stabbing wounds on her forehead, biceps, forearm, palm, chest, gut, and knee. “It looks like (Emson) was trying to defend herself and stop the attacks,” said Terry. “(Her injuries) were very graphic, there were many cuts.”
Showing the court the knife used in the attack, Terry explained that when Emson was brought to the emergency room at Majuro Hospital the knife was jammed into her stomach up to the hilt. “The blade is 12 inches long,” explained Terry.
Prosecutor Rosania Bennett is seeking at least a 15-year jail term, while deputy public defender Karotu Tiba asked the court for the minimum five-year term. A sentence is not expected until after a final hearing scheduled for August 24.
