Adrian Basham pleads not guilty to murdering estranged wife Samantha Fraser
Accused killer Adrian Basham was surrounded by family and remained calm while entering a plea of not guilty for the murder of his wife Samantha Fraser in her Phillip Island home last year.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Accused killer Adrian Basham has pleaded not guilty to murdering his estranged wife, Samantha Fraser.
Mr Basham, 42, will stand trial over the charge at Supreme Court of Victoria.
A directions hearing will be set on November 6.
Surrounded by his father and friends at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court today, Mr Basham was calm as he entered his plea from the dock.
He stood with his chest puffed and spoke only to enter his plea and answer questions put to him by Magistrate Ann Collins.
He will have 14 days to provide the court an alibi for his whereabouts the day of his estranged wife’s death, if he hasn’t done so already.
The court was expected to hear evidence from four witnesses, including a Homicide Squad and local detective, in the fifth and final day of Mr Basham’s committal hearing.
However it did not go ahead, meaning detail of the police case against Mr Basham won’t surface until the trial.
How he is alleged to have killed his wife has not yet been made public.
The court previously heard Ms Fraser, 38, a psychologist, lived in fear of her “controlling” estranged husband prior to her death.
Friends and family gave evidence that Ms Fraser changed the locks at her home and installed sensor lights due to safety fears.
She believed her life was in serious danger after leaving Mr Basham in early 2017, the court heard.
It was their second separation, after which Mr Basham allegedly used “veiled threats” and plotted to financially cripple Ms Fraser to get her back.
Her body was found in the garage of her Seagrove Way, Cowes home on July 23, 2018.
Police made the discovery after she failed to pick up her three kids from primary school.
Mr Basham was charged with her murder more than a week later.
The arrest followed crucial tip-offs by friends and a neighbour of Ms Fraser, who provided CCTV footage and photographs to police.