Man who strangled his wife while sleeping is set free

[Imposter]

London, England (CNN) -- A British man who strangled his wife in his sleep while dreaming that she was an intruder walked free from court Friday after the case against him was withdrawn, prosecutors said.

The UK's Crown Prosecution Service requested that the case against Brian Thomas, who killed wife Christine while they were on vacation in 2008, be dropped due to a "unique set of cir stances."

Thomas, 59, of Neath, South Wales, had been on trial for murder at Swansea Crown Court, with prosecutors seeking a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity that would have resulted in psychiatric custody.

But they said a closer study of evidence led them to believe the defendant should be released without further action.

"We have duty to keep cases under continuous review, and following expert evidence from a psychiatrist it was suggested no useful purpose would be served by Mr Thomas being detained and treated in a psychiatric hospital," prosecutor Iwan Jenkins said in a statement.

Jenkins said that there had never been any doubt that Thomas caused his wife's death, but the prosecution accepted evidence from experts on sleep disorders that indicated he should not be convicted of murder or manslaughter.

"We therefore have offered no further evidence and asked the jury to return a simple verdict of not guilty."

The court erupted in shouts of "yes" as family members greeted the outcome with jubilation, according to the UK Press Association.

"The death of Christine Thomas was thoroughly investigated by Dyfed Powys Police. Investigations continued after Mr Thomas was charged and involved the instruction of experts in several fields," Jenkins said.

"I must emphasize that the cir stances of this case are almost unique in the UK and there have been fewer than 50 instances recorded worldwide. It is only because of highly sophisticated tests carried out by sleep experts that Mr Thomas's condition could be confirmed.

"Our thoughts remain with the family of Brian and Christine Thomas, who have remained dignified throughout this difficult time."

The brief trial, which opened Tuesday, heard that Thomas killed his wife while the pair were taking a camper van vacation in western Wales, PA reported.

One night, Thomas -- who experts said may have been suffering worsening dreams due to withdrawal from anti-depressants -- experienced a violent nightmare in which he attacked and fought an intruder and got him in a headlock, only to wake and find he had strangled his wife.

Dismissing the charges, High Court Judge Justice Davis described Thomas as a "decent man and devoted husband" who bore no responsibility for his wife's death, PA reported.

Thomas's brother Raymond Thomas said the family were "delighted" by the outcome, the news agency said.

"He has always been a loving husband and a family man," he said. " This was a tragic, tragic episode and we are all very emotional."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe...gle/index.html

[RGMCSE]

You know I have to believe that this is sincere. Before my wife and I had kids we were just a normal married young couple with no real concerns or issues. But for what ever reason I can have spells of lucid dreams for a certain time. And then go months without remembering any dreams what soever. One night while we were asleep I was dreaming that I was a Rottweiler. I was huge and very agitated. I was chained up and could only roam around so far. Well I guess im my dream someone got very close to me and I began to bark a very vicious snarling bark. I had bad intentions and I wanted to hurt this person.

As it turns out I was literally barking and chopping my teeth together right at my wifes neck and making real barking noises. My wife woke me up and I just said what happened. She said you were barking at me!!! Right as I fell back to sleep I can remember her starting to cry because I had literally startled the out of her. One of the most bizarre yet comical things to happen to me in my sleep.

Rob

[Johnson]

she needs to sleep in a different room... and lock the door

[Spursfan092120]

she needs to sleep in a different room... and lock the door

?? apparently you didn't read the whole story...she won't be sleeping in any room in that house anymore.

[angel_luv]

?? apparently you didn't read the whole story...she won't be sleeping in any room in that house anymore.

Maybe he meant Rob's wife.

[TwAnKiEs]

?? apparently you didn't read the whole story...she won't be sleeping in any room in that house anymore.

I thought this was a Chris Brown thread

[doobs]

You know I have to believe that this is sincere. Before my wife and I had kids we were just a normal married young couple with no real concerns or issues. But for what ever reason I can have spells of lucid dreams for a certain time. And then go months without remembering any dreams what soever. One night while we were asleep I was dreaming that I was a Rottweiler. I was huge and very agitated. I was chained up and could only roam around so far. Well I guess im my dream someone got very close to me and I began to bark a very vicious snarling bark. I had bad intentions and I wanted to hurt this person.

As it turns out I was literally barking and chopping my teeth together right at my wifes neck and making real barking noises. My wife woke me up and I just said what happened. She said you were barking at me!!! Right as I fell back to sleep I can remember her starting to cry because I had literally startled the out of her. One of the most bizarre yet comical things to happen to me in my sleep.

Rob

She crapped herself?

[Kool Bob Love]

white people ftl!!!!!!!

[RGMCSE]

She crapped herself?

No she did not crap her self. But I was trying to convey that I really, really ing scared her.


Rob

[exstatic]

No she did not crap her self. But I was trying to convey that I really, really ing scared her.


Rob

Wrong choice of word, then. Shouldn't use the word "literally". You were using " herself" as a euphemism. When you add the word "literally", it eliminates the possibility of what you said being a euphemism, and that she actually shat herself there in bed with you

[RGMCSE]

Thanks for the insightful and informative suggestion. I type the way I tell stories the way I would as if you were chilling with me while having a beer. All I can say is that I come here to shoot the and not take my self to seriously.


Rob

[BlackSwordsMan]

regular joe the plumber

[Cyrano]

Face it.....untold millions of men have aspyxiated their wives in bed.....it's called a "Dutch Oven". I mean, who HASN'T farted and then pulled the covers over her head until she stops struggling?

[Viva Las Espuelas]

[Richard Cranium]

I got choked up reading that.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I got choked up reading that.