Defendant had complex PTSD, stab trial told
AFORENSIC psychiatrist says a Devon woman accused of murdering her husband was clinically depressed and suffering from a personality disorder at the time of her husband’s death.
Christine Rawle, aged 70, is on trial in Exeter, charged with the murder of husband Ian Rawle, 72, at their house near Braunton, North Devon. She told Dr Frank Farnham that she feared for her life at the hands of her husband who, she claimed, had previously threatened to kill her.
The psychiatrist said there were a number of factors in her personality that may diminish her responsibility for the killing.
The prosecution say Rawle lost her temper during an argument in the grounds of their 20-acre smallholding in Knowle and plunged a knife into his back. The defendant says he was cruel to her during their long relationship, and she lived in fear of him.
Much of the evidence in the trial has focused on the volatile relationship between husband and wife, and their personalities. The jury has heard evidence from friends and neighbours of the pair.
On Tuesday, the evidence focused on a psychological assessment of Rawle by Dr Farnham. He spoke to Rawle after her arrest. She gave him an account of her difficult childhood and abusive marriage that shaped her personality. Aspects of the abuse included claims of Mr Rawle not wanting her to have a life outside of him, telling her he would kill her, turning off an electric fence so her animals could escape, pouring hot water on her plants and refusing to make improvements to their property. She also says he sabotaged her career as a hypnotherapist.
“She suffers severe difficulties regulating her emotions,” Dr Farnham said. He added she had complex PTSD, depression and a personality disorder that were triggered at the time of her husband’s death. “It would have had an impact on her ability to make a rational judgement and a substantial impact on her self-control,” the doctor explained.
Dr Farnham said domestic abuse did not have to include physical violence, and added that Mr Rawle’s alleged threats to kill his wife may have been the trigger after a gradual “slow burn of tension”.
The prosecution say Christine Rawle snapped during an argument about selling a piece of land at the house in August 2022. Mr Rawle was pushing a wheelbarrow near a dung heap when she stabbed him. Paramedics could not save him.
The prosecution say there is no evidence Ian Rawle was cruel to his wife. A previous incident, in 1996, involving an allegation she had stabbed Mr Rawle in the arm was dropped, the court was told. Christine Rawle denies murder. The trial continues.