LONDON MAN CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER FOR WIFE’S DEATH
A man who strangled his wife while their infant son was sleeping in the same room has been convicted of manslaughter.Ronald Tyler, aged 47, was found responsible for the death of Julie McKinley, aged 40, following an argument at their residence in Finsbury, north London, on 31 December 2009, shortly after she returned from a social gathering.
After the incident, Tyler contacted emergency services to reveal the location of the body, cautioning officers to handle the scene carefully due to the sleeping children present.
Julie McKinley's body was discovered in her bed, in the same room as her 22-month-old son.
During the police response, her eight-year-old daughter, who was in a different room along with two younger siblings, shouted to officers that her mother was inside.
The court heard evidence indicating Tyler’s obsessive jealousy.
He admitted to strangling Julie following her claim that their baby was not his.
The trial revealed that Tyler had a criminal record comprising 44 offences since 1977, including 14 convictions related to violence or threatening behavior, four of which involved his wife.
Additionally, there were 20 police reports by Ms McKinley from 1996 to 2009 alleging violence or abuse, although she chose not to pursue these reports.
Tyler also confided to a psychiatrist that he had physically struck three women during past tumultuous relationships.
In late 2008, he was convicted of common assault on his wife and received a suspended sentence.
However, after breaching this sentence, he was sentenced to 52 weeks in jail in July of the previous year but was released two months prior to the fatal incident.
Her sister, Jacqueline McKinley, described the tragic loss as having a “devastating” effect on the children, who are now under foster care.
The court acquitted Tyler of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter on the basis of provocation, with a 10-2 jury majority.
