Jealous husband convicted of murdering wife in North Berwick home

A jury in Edinburgh has convicted Mompati Dodo Isaacs, 39, of murdering his wife in their North Berwick home on New Year’s Day, rejecting his claim of diminished responsibility. The victim, 33-year-old Keotshepile Naso Isaacs, known as Naso, was a mother of three and Botswana-born. The killing occurred at the couple’s East Lothian residence, where authorities say Isaacs stabbed Naso multiple times in the head, neck and body as she lay nearby.

According to prosecutors, the attack unfolded in a jealous rage after Isaacs became convinced that Naso was being unfaithful. The court heard that moments before she died, Naso told him, “I love you till the coffin drops.” The trial took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the jury ultimately rejected the defense’s assertion that Isaacs’ mental state at the time reduced his culpability.

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The defense argued that Isaacs has a history of mental illness and that the tragedy stemmed from his inability to cope with what he described as his wife’s alleged infidelity. Gareth Jones KC, representing Isaacs, told the court that his client was a “sad and pathetic” man who could not cope with the supposed betrayal. The prosecution, led by Ally Murray, contended that the evidence showed Isaacs acted with clear intent and that his mental health was not impaired at the time of the killing.

A key line of questioning centered on whether Naso was involved with a colleague named Victor Unachukwa. Unachukwa testified that there was no affair, countering Isaacs’ suspicions. The defense maintained that even if an infidelity was alleged, it did not justify murder, while the prosecution argued that the fatal violence demonstrated a deliberate act born of jealousy rather than a loss of control due to mental illness.

Following the verdict, Lady Ross said a background report would be prepared to inform the sentencing decision. Isaacs was remanded in custody as the case moves toward sentencing. In Scotland, murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with the final tariff determined by the court after consideration of the background report and other factors. A sentencing date has yet to be set, and Isaacs remains in custody ahead of that proceeding.

The case highlights the severity of domestic violence and the way Scotland’s courts handle murder cases with complex mitigating or aggravating factors. Naso Isaacs’ death has drawn attention to the personal devastation endured by families in East Lothian and beyond, and authorities have emphasized the need for ongoing support for victims and their relatives. The court’s decision to require a background report underscores the legal framework that guides sentencing in homicide cases, seeking to balance accountability with proportionate punishment and the potential for rehabilitation.