Saint John man pleads guilty to murder

A Saint John man has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his estranged wife that happened in May outside of a tanning salon.

Jason Getson entered the plea in the Court of Queen's Bench inSaint JohnWednesday.

Before accepting the plea, Justice Hugh McLellan asked Getson whether he understood the seriousness of the charge and that he faces life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 to 25 years.

Getson, who had his feet shackled and was flanked by sheriffs,said he understood the implications of his plea.

Getson's sentencing is expected on Jan. 4.

The Saint John manhad originally been charged with first-degree murder.

Saint John Police found Melanie Getson, 28,outside a tanning salon on Rothesay Avenue after she was attacked on May 10. She was found unconscious, with a handcuff on her left wrist.

The court heard that Jason Getson had, on May8,purchased twoknivesfrom a Canadian Tire store and three sets of handcuffs.

During the court hearing, it was revealed that Melanie Getson's autopsy found 28 wounds, 25 of which were from cuts or stabs.

The most significant wound was a gash in her neck that was 6.5 centimetres long and 5.3 centimetres deep.

There were other stab wounds in her heart, left lung and liver.

She was later pronounced dead at hospital.

The court heard that about two weeks before the attack, Melanie Getson had left her husband. She told him that their five-year marriage was over and she planned to start dating again.

He had told someone at his work that if he couldn't have her, nobody else could.