CFMEU boss John Setka’s estranged wife Emma Walters defended in murder plot saga

Sources have defended CFMEU boss John Setka’s estranged wife, after fresh allegations surfaced about a plot to murder her husband.

Union boss John Setka and his estranged wife Emma Walters. Picture: Mark Stewart

Sources close to the estranged wife of union boss John Setka have defended her after fresh allegations surfaced about a plot to murder her husband.

It comes after a court case on Thursday afternoon, where police allege Ms Walters told a private investigator she needed help getting a “piece” to “kill the father of my children”.

She was charged on Thursday with incitement to commit murder, incitement to possess a drug of dependence and of committing an indictable offence while on bail.

The court heard Ms Walters allegedly said: “It can’t be premeditated. You have to help me”.

Sources told the Herald Sun the latest ordeal had been “highly stressful” and “traumatic” for Ms Walters.

“The whole ordeal has once again been highly traumatic for Emma. She was handcuffed at her house and spent five hours in a police cell,” one source said.

“She is the real victim in all of this. We hope the truth will come out one day about her story.”

The latest charges relate to an incident in late April, where Ms Walters allegedly asked an ambulance officer whether she could buy any sedatives for “him” as she fell in and out of consciousness while drunk, Nine reported.

Setka was not referred to by name.

A report was made to police following a Google search on Ms Walters that revealed her former charges.

Victoria Police confirmed a 46-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday at a West Footscray property and charged “as part of an incitement to commit murder investigation”.

According to Nine, Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Ramirez told the court he objected to bail being granted amid fears Ms Walters would continue to plot to murder Setka.

“We’re concerned that if she is granted bail, she will continue to seek ways to murder the complainant,” Ramirez said.

“She is actively plotting to kill her ex-husband by various means. We believe she will succeed if measures aren’t put in place to prevent her.”

But Ms Walters’ lawyer labelled the latest charges as weak.

She was granted bail, to reappear in court on July 17.

Following the March charges, Ms Walters said she “said some floral things in a traumatised state” to a security expert, which led to a charge of incitement to commit conspiracy to murder.

At the time, she told friends that she sought help from the expert as she feared for her life, and believed that expert then spoke to police after they discussed a range of security options.
Ms Walters did provide comment on the latest allegations.