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“I hit her in the face a few times — pretty hard. She fell straight back. I then hit her in the torso and arms.

“I never meant for her to die. The assault lasted 10 seconds. I asked where she kept her jewelry and she said upstairs. I never thought she’d die from that (assault),” said Marshall.

“I want to say I really regret what I did. I am ashamed of it. I’m sorry,” said Marshall.

Marshall also insisted Tetsos was still alive and sitting upright on the floor, resting against a wall when he slashed all her phone lines “so I wouldn’t get caught by the cops.

“She’s just sitting there, looking pretty scared. No, I never said anything to her. I was just wanted to leave,” said Marshall.

He was homeless then and admitted he robbed her to feed his alcohol and drug habits.

Tetsos’ body was discovered on Remembrance Day at her Elfreda Blvd. home, court heard.

Marshall was arrested a day after the disturbing discovery on Nov. 12, 2015 and was wearing the widow’s turquoise ring.

The trial resumes Thursday.

spazzano@postmedia.com