Mum-of-three Christina Anderson has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility for stabbing a man to death outside her home after spending over a month on trial accused of murder.
Patrick McGrath SC, for the DPP, said the plea was accepted and the DPP intends to enter a “nolle prosequi” in relation to the murder charge at a sentencing hearing next April. Prof Kennedy said Ms Anderson’s behaviour was better explained by cannabis intoxication. Intoxication cannot be used as a defence under the Criminal Law Act 2006.
The judge remanded Ms Anderson in custody after hearing that the accused will be taken to the Dochas women’s prison before being transferred back to the CMH where she is undergoing treatment for her psychiatric condition. Friends and neighbours of Ms Anderson and her husband Mark Anderson said her behaviour had become erratic in the days and weeks leading up to the stabbing.