Family members today told of their shock after the wife of murdered Braintree businessman Derek Salmon was jailed for life
The family of Rita Salmon have told of their "distress" after a jury on Friday took less than two hours to find her guilty of murdering her unfaithful husband.
Guilty of murder - Rita Salmon,right.
Rita, 55, lured Derek, the 55-year-old former manager of the George Yard Shopping Centre, to his death after learning he was having an affair.
She stabbed him nine times in the back
At Inner London Crown Court, Rita showed no trace of emotion as Mr Justice Bell told her: "You went around there with the intention of killing your husband.
"You made as sure as you could that he was dead."
From the dock, Rita said: "I never consciously planned to kill my husband, not even subconsciously.
"What I have done horrifies me more than any of you."
The verdict and sentence have left Rita's older sister Annette distraught and deeply upset.
Speaking from their family home, Rita's brother-in-law Len said: "We did not expect her to get life. But the jury found her guilty.
"We feel there are still a number of questions left unanswered."
For more on this story see today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, June 30, 2003
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