wife to death during a domestic dispute.
Peter Marima of Mukoyi Village under Chief Mutasa was found guilty of murder with actual intent.
He escaped the hangman’s noose after Justice Samuel Kudya found extenuating circumstances.
Marima killed his wife Ms Netsai Madzikatire on 3 July 2006 after she refused to take care of their ill son while he wanted to attend a funeral in the village.
When the trial opened Marima denied the murder charge and entered a plea of guilty to culpable homicide, which is a lesser offence.
But the court ruled otherwise.
Facts are that on 3 July 2006 the couple had a misunderstanding with Madzikatire refusing to remain at home to look after their ill son.
That sparked an altercation resulting in Marima slapping his wife.
She fled and Marima chased his wife until he caught her upon which he beat her up.
Marima struck her several times on the head with a rock until she lay unconscious.
He poured water on her in the hope that she would revive and when she did not, he left her lying prostrate on the ground.
Madzikatire sustained three deep cuts on the head.
She got up and tried walking but fell down a few metres from where she had been attacked.
Madzikatire died a few minutes later.
Villagers, including the headman, made a police report.
Marima was arrested and the corpse was taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.