A woman who stabbed her boyfriend to death during an argument claiming it was in self-defence has been found guilty of his manslaughter.
Neighbours found Giovanni Wallace bleeding to death on the stairs of the flat he shared with girlfriend Charlotte Kerr in Clyde Road, in Croydon on October 25 2020.
Witnesses described hearing a loud argument coming from Kerr’s flat before finding the father-of-two suffering a stab wound to his chest.
Despite giving him first aid, neighbours were unable to save Giovanni who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination found he died from a single stab wound to the heart.
Kerr was arrested at the scene. She told officers she had stabbed him in self-defence after Giovanni had assaulted her.
She was taken into custody where she underwent a medical examination. This found no sign of any serious injuries.
Officers spoke to a number of witnesses and completed a forensic examination of the scene. This evidence led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising a murder charge against Kerr, however the jury convicted her of manslaughter.
DCI Chris Wood, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “This is a tragic case which has resulted in the loss of a young father who leaves behind two children. My thoughts are with them and the rest of Giovanni’s family and friends. I hope today’s conviction brings them some closure.”
Charlotte Kerr, 37, of Clyde Road, Croydon was convicted of the manslaughter of Giovanni Wallace following a trial at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 14 December.
Kerr will be sentenced at the same court on Friday.
