An ACT Supreme Court judge has found that Manfred Uhle murdered his wife, Wanda, in their home in Canberra’s southern suburb of Gordon in June 2024, ABC News Australia reports. Uhle is now 88, while his wife was 78.
Justice Andrew Muller made the finding at a special hearing after Uhle was found unfit to plead to the murder charge. The judge determined that Uhle stabbed Wanda repeatedly with a knife, causing her death, and that his actions were voluntary.
Justice Muller said Uhle’s movements were controlled and repeated, and that any impairment to his consciousness did not deprive him of the will to act. The couple had been in a relationship for about 60 years.
According to ABC News Australia, Uhle’s family had observed episodes of confusion and memory loss in the months before the killing, and those problems had continued to deteriorate. Uhle has remained in custody since the day of the murder.
The prosecution has argued that Uhle should remain in custody for an immediate review by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal under mental-health legislation. Justice Muller said detention in a correctional facility should be a last resort, but the prosecution considered that no other option was currently available.
The judge will allow the parties to examine whether Uhle could be released to facilitate an assessment by the tribunal and potentially enable a mental-health order. The matter is due to return to court in October.