The sad case of Mr and Mrs King.

Above, a 1934 pattern Enfield service revolver. In the news recently has been the tragic circumstances for a married couple in Essex, Mr Ronald and Mrs Rita King. It appears that Mrs King was suffering from dementia and was resident at De La Mer House in Naze Park Road, Walton-on-the-Naze, a private care home.
It appears that Mr King shot his wife in the head killing her with a 1934 Enfield service revolver.
Although the facts will be revealed at Mr King’s trial set for 4th July 2016 it appears that Mr King had after the shooting repeatedly said: “She’s had enough.” It also appears the former insurance salesman thought to turn the gun on himself but “couldn’t pull the trigger.”
Whatever the circumstances are surrounding the death of Mrs King, Mr King appears to have been in possession of a military side-arm. In many countries possession of such would be something of little significance. In the UK that after Japan has some of the strictest gun laws in the world it is regarded as a very serious crime.
We do not know how Mr King will plead to the charge of murder or even if that that is what he will end up being charged with in July this year. What we do know is that if convicted of murder the law prescribes a mandatory life sentence. The tariff – how long the convicted person spends in custody before being considered for release on licence varies.
Another thing we do know is how the law works. If convicted of murder the law prescribes that a murderer cannot benefit from any will or intestacy of their victim as a result. This would mean that in the case of sole beneficiary mirror wills, had Mrs and Mrs King (who were childless) held their assets jointly, Mr King would not inherit what would have been his half.
Thus were Mr King to live long enough to be released from incarceration he may well find himself homeless especially if they had specified a charity or charities as residual legatees.
Charities are notorious for how assiduously they press for their rights as legatees.
Many readers may well suggest that such speculation is disrespectful towards a victim of murder but those acquainted with the way the law works will know it can be wholly lacking in compassion.
Herewith the Sun newspaper’s view: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6825992/Woman-shot-to-death-in-Essex-care-home.html