Murder scene 'was like slaughter'

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A woman whose husband is on trial for killing her lover has told a court "there was blood all over the place".

Susan Matta said a blood-spattered room resembled a "slaughter chamber" after RAF officer Stephen Keen was stabbed.

Mrs Matta, 53, left her Sardinian husband Francesco Matta, 56, after rekindling a teenage romance with Mr Keen via the Friends Reunited website.

Mr Matta pleaded not guilty at Exeter Crown Court to murdering 54-year-old Mr Keen in Devon in 2006.

Mr Keen was killed after postal worker Mr Matta travelled from Cagliari, Sardinia, to Tidcombe Walk in Tiverton where his wife had moved in with married Mr Keen.

There was blood all over the place, going up the wall, on the carpet and the sofa Susan Matta

They got back together 30 years after their teenage romance ended.

Mr Keen bled to death from four neck wounds inflicted by Mr Matta on 6 July 2006 with a 4in (10cm) bladed lock knife.

Prosecutor Martin Meeke, QC, said Mr Matta planned and carried out the "cold-blooded killing" in revenge.

Francesco Matta has admitted the killing, but says he should be convicted of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility due to depression.

Mrs Matta told the court that on the day of the killing a postcard arrived at Mr Keen's home written by Mr Matta.

He arrived at Tidcombe Walk that evening and she was "stunned" to see him.

Mr Matta walked across to where Mr Keen was sitting in a chair with a knife.

Mrs Matta told the jury: "There was blood all over the place, going up the wall, on the carpet and the sofa." Mr Keen died before the emergency services arrived following two 999 calls.

Mrs Matta told the court the defendant said to her "I love you" as he was led away by police.

The trial continues.