A man has been acquitted of the manslaughter of his wife, who died by suicide. Christopher Trybus from Swindon, Wiltshire, was also exonerated of charges including controlling behavior and rape involving Tarryn Baird, who passed away at 34 in November 2017.
The prosecution alleged that Mr. Trybus exerted control over Ms. Baird through violent threats, sexual assault, financial restrictions, and isolation from her family. They claimed he used physical force, including choking and strangulation, during sexual encounters. However, Mr. Trybus, an IT company owner, stated he was often abroad for work and denied the accusations, citing his wife’s mental health issues, supported by a psychiatrist’s diagnosis of PTSD.
The court learned that Ms. Baird had experienced traumatic events in South Africa before moving to Swindon, including witnessing violent crimes. Mr. Trybus expressed conflicting emotions towards his late wife, denying responsibility for her injuries and attributing a neck injury to consensual activities with bondage equipment.
After 40 hours of deliberation, the jury, consisting of seven women and five men, delivered the not guilty verdict, prompting emotional reactions from Mr. Trybus and his supporters. The judge acknowledged the jurors’ challenging role in the case and commended their service.
Following the trial, Mr. Trybus, now married to Bea, embraced his wife outside the courtroom as they both wept. The judge provided mental health support resources for those in need.
