Maxwell Beever, accused of murdering his wife, referred to the Mental Health Court
An elderly man accused of murdering in his wife with in their Varsity Lakes home in February this year has been referred to a different court.
Police & Courts
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An elderly man accused of murdering his wife in their Varsity Lakes home in February this year has been referred to the Mental Health Court to determine if he is fit for trial.
Maxwell Beever, 82, has been in hospital since his wife Robyn Beever was found dead in their Genora Circuit home on February 25.
It is alleged Beever murdered Mrs Beever with a belt or pair of jeans. An axe was also allegedly found at the scene.
Police will also allege Mrs Beever was dragged from the bedroom of the home and found in the garage near the back of a car.
Her husband was charged with murder, accused of killing Mrs Beever as early as 6pm on Wednesday, February 24.
The Bulletin has confirmed Beever’s case has been referred to the Mental Health Court to determine if the elderly man has capacity.
The Mental Health Court determines criminal responsibility and fitness for trial and may remove mentally ill and intellectually impaired offenders from the criminal justice system.
The court does not conduct a trial, but works to determine the relationship between the alleged offending and the defendant’s mental illness.
A date for Beever’s hearing in the Mental Health Court has not been set.
The Bulletin reported in June that Beever had been diagnosed with dementia.
He remains in hospital but the nature of his condition has not been confirmed.
In March, his lawyer Jonathan Nyst, of Nyst Legal, told a court Beever had “serious health conditions as well as Parkinson’s disease”.
Beever’s family have been supportive of him since Mrs Beever’s death.
In February, the pair’s children released a statement through Mr Nyst saying the man has their love and “unwavering support”.
They said their parents were “devoted to each other”, having met more than 60 years ago.
“ … their greatest concern now is for their aged father, who is not in good health, and has not been for a number of years,” the statement said.
“He has their unwavering love and support, and they are fully committed to his welfare.”
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