Police ScotlandA man has been found guilty of murdering wife at their home in South Lanarkshire.
Walter Buchanan attacked Darrel Buchanan, 37, at their upmarket flat near Hamilton racecourse on February 18 2023.
The 66-year-old choked Darrel after she had earlier accused him of being a “wife cheater”.
Buchanan – a chartered surveyor – had denied murdering the mum, who was originally from Kenya.
But, he was found guilty on Wednesday following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Buchanan will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars when he returns to the dock next month.
He had been on bail, but was remanded in custody by judge Lord Cubie.
The couple had met in 2015 while Buchanan was on holiday in Thailand.
They married two years later. Buchanan was already a father-of-two while Darrel had a young son.
Jurors heard how Buchanan was “besotted” with his wife.
He had been out with friends in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, the night before the killing.
Darrel was said to have been unhappy and it was alleged she claimed he was happier with others rather than her.
Buchanan told the trial he got a text which read: “I guess you are having fun in Bothwell without your wife, cheater”.
He said she then again accused him of infidelity when got home.
In his evidence, Buchanan claimed she “lunged” at him before he “connected” with Darrel, grabbed her hair and they both fell.
The mum was then dragged across the floor.
Buchanan said Darrel got up and left the room. He was then in bed when his wife came in.
He told his lawyer Iain McSporran KC she called him “a cheater” once more.
He grabbed her wrists, pushed her onto the bed and got on top of her.
Buchanan added: “She was still flailing her arms – I was defending myself with one arm and I remember putting my hand on her face and pushed her.”
Mr McSporran put to him: “We know there were marks identified on her neck which identifies strangulation – the prosecution say there was strangulation.
“There was a thumb mark and bruises – did you cause them?
Buchanan replied: “Yes I did, I had her by the neck – it was seconds – and it was with one hand.”
He further admitted pushing Darrel into a pillow before she rolled over onto her side.
It was Buchanan who made a 999 call that morning claiming he had woke up and found his wife “cold to the touch”.
Emergency services arrived at the property, but could not save Darrel.
The court heard she had suffered “significant” compression of her neck.
She also had a brain injury, bruising and a rib fracture.
After the verdict, prosecutor David McLean said Buchanan only had one minor conviction.
Lord Cubie told Buchanan: “February 18 2023 was a tragic day – there was the loss of a daughter, sister and mother.
“The loss was exacerbated that the person who took the life was you, her husband, who should have protected and looked out for her.
“This has consequences for you too. The reality is it was in your control to avoid this.
“The jury has found that you acted in a way that caused her death and you must take the consequences.”
Sentencing was adjourned for reports.
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