A 51-year-old woman is on trial at London’s Old Bailey after being accused of killing her banker partner following an alleged conversation in which he told her he had met another woman at work.
Joanna Cierpka is accused of murdering 52-year-old Danish banker Henrik Slotsaa, who worked at Citibank’s Canary Wharf office.
Prosecutors allege that Slotsaa was repeatedly stabbed at the couple’s home in London after telling Cierpka that he had met someone else.
His body was later discovered in the couple’s bedroom after police forced their way into the property following welfare concerns.
Cierpka denies murder but has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The manslaughter admission means she accepts responsibility for Slotsaa’s death but disputes the prosecution’s case that she should be held criminally responsible for murder.
Banker allegedly told partner he had met another woman
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The court heard that the banker had told Cierpka that he had met another woman through his work.
Prosecutors allege that the disclosure became an important part of the events that followed.
According to the prosecution case, Slotsaa was subsequently attacked inside the couple’s home and suffered multiple stab wounds.
Prosecutors told the court that the banker sustained 14 stab wounds, including injuries to his neck.
He also reportedly suffered defensive injuries to his hands, which prosecutors say were consistent with an attempt to protect himself during the alleged attack.
The prosecution has presented the injuries as part of its case against Cierpka.
Body reportedly left in bedroom for days
Slotsaa’s body was not discovered immediately.
According to the prosecution, he remained in the couple’s bedroom for a period of time before police eventually entered the property.
Officers reportedly forced their way into the flat on March 15 after concerns were raised about the occupants.
Inside, they discovered Slotsaa’s body.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery have become a significant part of the case as prosecutors seek to establish what happened inside the property and when the fatal injuries were inflicted.
Cierpka found injured
Cierpka was also found injured when police entered the home.
She was taken to hospital for treatment.
While receiving medical attention, she reportedly wrote and signed a note stating: “I killed my partner.”
Prosecutors have referred to the note as part of the evidence in the case.
However, Cierpka’s admission of responsibility for the death does not mean that the legal question of murder has been resolved.
Her defence is based on diminished responsibility, a legal argument that can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter when specific conditions concerning the defendant’s mental functioning are established.
She denies murder
Although Cierpka has admitted manslaughter, she denies murdering Slotsaa.
The distinction is important because the trial is examining not simply whether she was responsible for his death, but also her state of mind and whether the legal requirements for murder are satisfied.
Her defence is expected to argue that diminished responsibility affected her ability to understand or control her actions to the extent required by law.
The prosecution, meanwhile, is seeking to establish its case for murder.
The evidence heard at trial will be considered by the court before a final verdict is reached.
Henrik Slotsaa was a Citibank banker
Slotsaa was a Danish national who worked as a banker at Citibank’s Canary Wharf office in London.
His death has attracted attention partly because of his professional background and the circumstances in which he was allegedly killed.
The prosecution’s account describes a fatal incident that unfolded inside the home he shared with Cierpka.
The court is expected to hear further evidence about the couple’s relationship, the events before the banker’s death and the circumstances surrounding the injuries suffered by both individuals.
What is diminished responsibility?
Diminished responsibility is a defence available in certain murder cases in England and Wales.
It concerns a recognised medical condition that substantially impaired a person’s ability to understand the nature of their conduct, form a rational judgment or exercise self-control.
Where the defence succeeds, a defendant who would otherwise be convicted of murder can instead be convicted of manslaughter.
Cierpka’s decision to admit manslaughter while denying murder means that her mental state is likely to be an important issue during the proceedings.
The court will ultimately determine whether the evidence supports her position.
Trial continues
The case remains before the Old Bailey, and the allegations made by prosecutors have not yet been established as facts.
Cierpka is entitled to the presumption of innocence in relation to the murder charge unless and until she is found guilty.
The trial is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Slotsaa’s death, including the alleged argument or disclosure about another woman, the injuries found on the banker and Cierpka, and the evidence recovered after police entered the property.
As proceedings continue, the court will hear from witnesses and consider the evidence presented by both sides.
The case has already raised questions about relationships, mental health and criminal responsibility, but the final outcome will depend on the evidence considered by the court.
Read official information about the Old Bailey and criminal proceedings through the UK Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.
