Woman jailed for stabbing friend

William Rogers was stabbed in the chest

A woman from the Isle of Man has been handed an eight-year jail sentence for stabbing a man to death.

Arizona Devine Watterson, 28, had claimed that William Rogers was stabbed with a ceremonial dagger during a "game" at her flat in Douglas.

She was acquitted of his murder but convicted of manslaughter during a trial at Douglas Courthouse.

Twenty-eight-year-old Mr Rogers, from Port Erin, died from a stab wound to the chest in March 2008.

Speaking after sentencing on Thursday, Mr Rogers' father, also named Billy, thanked the family's solicitors, police, paramedics and hospital staff.

My family has cried for 15 months Victim's father

But he questioned the verdict handed down by the jury on Tuesday.

"Arizona Watterson lied for three days to police before admitting stabbing Billy.

"In court she continued her lies, which was proven," said Mr Rogers.

"Arizona said she did not mean for Billy to die. But Billy did die - so is that just unlucky?

"If the jury did not believe it was an accident why did they believe she did not mean for him to die, especially when she stabbed him through the heart?

"It was reported that Arizona had cried in the dock on Tuesday afternoon. My family has cried for 15 months."