Canberra court finds 88-year-old man killed his wife — ABC News Australia
The Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in Canberra found that 88-year-old Manfred Uhle killed his 78-year-old wife Wanda at their home in the Gordon suburb in June 2024. The man was previously charged with murder, but this year he was found unfit to stand trial on that charge.
Special hearing
As a result, Justice Andrew Muller held a special hearing in the case. As ABC News Australia reports, the judge found beyond reasonable doubt that Uhle repeatedly stabbed his wife, causing her death.
The judge also found that the man's actions were voluntary. The ruling states that his movements were controlled and repeated, and that an impairment of consciousness did not deprive him of the will to act. The court found it proven that Uhle committed the acts necessary to constitute the alleged offence.
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Further consideration of the case
At the time of the killing, the couple had been in a relationship for about 60 years. In the months before the killing, Uhle's family had noticed episodes of confusion and memory loss in him, which were worsening.
Uhle has been in custody since the day of the killing. The prosecution considers that the appropriate next step is to keep him in custody for an immediate assessment by the Australian Capital Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal under mental health legislation. The judge allowed the parties to further consider possible options, including Uhle's release for assessment by the tribunal in order to decide on mental health measures. The case is due to return to court in October.
