A man accused of murdering his wife told another that he suspected she was cheating on him, a court has heard.
Turkish national Ertan Ersoy, 51, revealed having “difficulties with his wife” to Mahmut Bektas.
University lecturer Dr Antonella Castelvedere was found stabbed to death on the kitchen floor of the couple’s home in Colchester last June.
On trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Mr Ersoy denied murder but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The hearing was told Mr Bektas was given Mr Ersoy’s number by an agency when he moved to Essex in 2021 and did not know anyone.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC asked Mr Bektas if his friend had raised any suspicions about his wife.
Speaking through a Turkish interpreter, Mr Bektas told the court: “He said that he’s finding it difficult and their relationship is very tense.” He said Mr Ersoy told him Dr Castelvedere was “constantly thinking about her previous relationships” and had kept old letters, which made him “cross and angry”.
A message sent by Dr Castelvedere to Mr Bektas on 31 May, which was read to the court, said: “Ertan has fallen back into a dark state of mind and I fear for my safety.”
In his reply, Mr Bektas said he had offered to put Mr Ersoy in touch with a psychotherapist and he “hoped this time he will start to take professional help”.
Last week the court heard from a neighbour Ms Munro said she was at home when she heard the male voice shouting, before going outside and seeing the defendant inside his house.
They were standing in the hallway when “he told me, ‘I think I’ve killed my wife'”, she said.
Ms Munro claimed Mr Ersoy was “breathing like he was in pain” and was “groaning”, adding: “He was concerned about his wife.”
Dr Castelvedere was a lecturer at the University of Suffolk, teaching an MA course in English and Creative Writing, and Mr Ersoy also worked as a lecturer.
The trial continues.
