Briton Samantha Jones charged with murdering husband on tropical island of Langkawi in Malaysia
Murder carries a mandatory death sentence by hanging in Malaysia, but executions are being put on hold pending changes to the law.
Tuesday 30 October 2018 16:35, UK
A British woman has been charged with murdering her husband, who was found stabbed to death on the Malaysian island of Langkawi.
Police discovered a blood-stained 30cm-long (12in) kitchen knife in the holiday home Samantha Jones, 51, shared with her 62-year-old husband John William Jones.
He was found dead with a stab wound to his chest in the couple's bedroom at around 2.30am on 18 October.
She was brought to court in handcuffs and escorted by police, with her face lowered and covered by her hair.
Her lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo said Jones she understood the charge, which carries a mandatory death sentence by hanging in Malaysia.
She added her client did not enter a plea as the magistrate court has no jurisdiction to hear a murder case and the case is expected to be transferred to the high court.
The next court hearing is scheduled for 29 November.
Ms Kaur said: "She is very, very overwhelmed. It is her husband at the end of the day.
"She is also grieving for him despite the circumstances of the case, but she is holding up."
Police earlier said Jones confessed to stabbing her husband in the chest during a heated argument.
The pair were staying in Langkawi, a tropical island in northwest Malaysia.
They had moved there 11 years ago under Malaysia My Second Home programme, which provides foreigners long-staying visas.
Execution in Malaysia is a mandatory punishment for murder, drug-trafficking, treason and waging war against King Yang-di-Pertuan Agong.
However this month, the Malaysian government announced it would be tabling a bill to abolish the death penalty.
All executions are being put on hold pending changes to the laws.
The only other Briton to be sentenced to death by hanging in Malaysia is Derrick Gregory, who was executed on 21 July 1989 for drug trafficking offences.
The next court hearing is on 29 November where prosecutors are expected to provide the defence with the post-mortem, forensic and other related reports.