Overview

• At Worcester Crown Court, friends and colleagues said Joanne Samak had much to live for and rejected claims she had serious alcohol or mental‑health problems.
• Witnesses described financial strain in the marriage and said Samak contributed little income from part‑time coaching, with one friend calling him lazy.
• A 999 transcript played to the jury captured Samak saying his wife had "a knife in her tummy," following neighbour reports of a scream around 3am and his call at 4:09am.
• A pathologist reported six stab wounds, including a fatal wound that pierced the sternum and heart, which the prosecution says is consistent with murder.
• The defence maintains Joanne inflicted the wounds herself, while evidence from the couple’s young son described his father picking his mother up and her shouting "put me down."