Man accused of wife's murder 'consulted witch doctor'
A man who drugged his children before killing his wife at their Southampton home had consulted a "witch doctor" in the months before, a court has heard.
George Kibuuka is accused of using a sledgehammer and knife to murder his wife Margaret in November 2009.
The jury heard he visited his home country of Uganda to discuss problems in his marriage with family and friends and was "not himself".
Mr Kibuuka, 48, denies murder and drugging three of his children.
He admits the killing but his defence is arguing diminished responsibility, saying he was suffering from an "abnormality of mind".
His friend told Winchester Crown Court he was "surprised" to find out Mr Kibuuka had consulted a witch doctor and not a medic about his problems.
The trial earlier heard that Mr Kibuuka put sleeping tablets into the food and drink of the couple's children so they would not witness the attack.
In the early hours of the next day, on 8 November last year, he went to his wife's bedroom at their Shirley home with the sledgehammer.
After the killing he stabbed himself in the abdomen and took organophosphate pesticide, but was found by paramedics and survived.
Part-time carer Mrs Kibuuka, 40, had filed for divorce, claiming her husband had been violent towards her.
Mr Kibuuka did not accept the marriage was over and did not want to lose his considerable assets, the hearing was told.
The mother-of-four had complained to police about her husband's violence and emotional abuse in the weeks before her death, the court heard.
The trial continues.