Murrumbateman local Dale Lee Vella pleads not guilty to murdering her sleeping husband

A Southern Tablelands woman has been committed for trial in the NSW Supreme Court for the alleged murder of her sleeping husband in their home last year.

A Southern Tablelands woman has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her husband while he was sleeping in their home last year.

Dale Lee Vella, 53, appeared on Wednesday via audio visual link at Goulburn Local Court for the charges of murder and using an unauthorised firearm.

She has been in custody since being arrested on August 9 2021, the night of the incident, at her rural property in Murrumbateman.

Dale Lee Vella, 53, pleaded not guilty to fatally shooting her husband in the small town of Murrumbateman, north of Canberra. Picture: Facebook

Crown prosecutor Nicole Johnson previously told the court that Ms Vella allegedly shot her husband of 25 years with a double-barrel shotgun that was registered in her name.

After the incident, she said family members heard Ms Vella say she was going to shoot herself but shot her husband instead, and to call an ambulance.

Ms Johnson also said the shooting occurred when he was sleeping, and regarded the matter as a strong prosecution case.

Ms Vella’s lawyer previously said that according to a medical report, she exhibited an amnesia-like state immediately before and after the death of her husband. He also said she was a chemo patient.

A justice health report was previously requested.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Geraldine Beattie committed Ms Vella for trial on August 5 for the charge of murder and the possessing a firearm as a related charge.

She will appear via audiovisual link at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney.