Scotland: Man who murdered wife said she was a ‘cheating lesbian whore’
A husband who stabbed his wife to death after discovering she had an affair with another woman has been found guilty of murder.
Tony Vita, 47, had denied murdering his wife Marion Vita in the family home in Glasgow last September.
The BBC reports he claimed that she had died as the result of a bizarre accident after she fell on a knife during a struggle.
Vita told the jury in evidence at the High Court in Glasgow that he did not realise his wife was dying. He said she gave him the knife back after she fell on it. He went upstairs and stabbed himself twice in a failed suicide bid.
But he had no explanation as to why his wife’s blood was on the front of the dressing gown he was wearing and on the legs of his glasses.
The jury was told that the couple’s neighbour, Helen Colquitt, heard three screams as she was watching television.
She said the screams were immediately followed by a woman shouting: “No, don’t”, followed by the sound of someone running upstairs.
Detectives who examined the home after the murder found an entry on a calendar in the kitchen for 20 September 2013 which stated: “Marion cheating lesbian whore.”
Vita had also cut his wife out of family photographs and smashed a mug which said “home is where the heart is”.
Mrs Vita’s lover, Ms Rumniak, told the court she had met her at a party in October 2012 and fell in love.
Ms Rumniak told prosecutor Douglas Fairley QC that the couple wanted to set up home together and had talked of adopting a child.
The Vitas’ 11-year-old son also gave evidence during the trial as the jury heard him recall how he had discovered his mum “unconscious” on the night of the alleged murder.
Police officers who interviewed Vita shortly after the murder said he displayed no grief or sense of loss at the death of his wife.
When the jury’s verdict was announced, Vita sat with his head bowed. He shook his head as he was led away to the cells.
He faces a mandatory life term when he is sentenced next month.
