Woman convicted of fatally stabbing her partner sentenced to life in prison

Mayumi Santos Patacsil stabbed her partner to death in 2021

A woman was imprisoned for life Thursday after she was found guilty by jury of fatally stabbing her partner. 

Mayumi Santos Patacsil, a 48-year-old Filippino national, was convicted Monday of stabbing her partner to death at his residence in Mellieħa in 2021. 

Mayumi Santos Patacsil is driven out of court following her arraignment in 2021. File photo: Matthew MirabelliMayumi Santos Patacsil is driven out of court following her arraignment in 2021. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Jurors convicted Patacsil 9-0 of murder and 7-2 of filing a false report in a verdict delivered after just over an hour of deliberation.

Her victim, Marcelino Montalban Saraza, suffered a stab wound on the lower right side of his chest, and prosecutors said Patacsil also tried to cut his throat, making a deep incision in his neck. A post-mortem examination showed the wound was made after he was stabbed to death.

The scene of the grisly murder in 2021. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli.The scene of the grisly murder in 2021. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli.

Patacsil has been under arrest since her arraignment in 2021.

During the week-long trial, she took the stand and said she could not recall how Saraza died but insisted she had acted in “self-defence” after enduring four years of physical abuse.

Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera presided.

AG lawyers Etienne Savona, Kaylie Bonett and Michael Muscat prosecuted.

Legal aid lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace assisted the accused.

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