John Setka’s estranged wife Emma Walters reacts to kill plot charge: ‘I’m a traumatised woman who’s been subjected to years of abuse’
Emma Walters’ house has been “turned upside down” by police as she faces a charge of conspiracy to murder her estranged husband, union boss John Setka.
Police & Courts
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The estranged wife of union boss John Setka told friends her home was “turned upside down” by police after she allegedly tried to obtain a gun to shoot him.
Emma Walters was charged on Wednesday with incitement to commit conspiracy to murder following a raid on her Footscray home.
Sources close to Ms Walters said the past 48 hours had been “highly traumatic” for her and she felt “violated” after her house was searched.
“Her whole house was turned upside down. Her whole life with John Setka has been full of trauma,” the source said.
“The past eight years have been hell for her, he has ruined her life. We hope that Emma gets the justice she deserves and she has so much support behind her.”
Ms Walters on Thursday said she was in a “traumatised state” when she made comments that led to her being charged.
It’s understood Ms Walters had told friends, fearing for her life, she had sought help from a security expert who she believes spoke to police after they discussed a range of options.
Ms Walters denies the incitement to commit conspiracy to murder allegation and said she was in a “traumatised state” when she spoke to the security expert.
“I said some floral things in a traumatised state,” she said outside her Footscray home.
“I’m a traumatised woman who’s been subjected to years of abuse.”
Asked if she tried to obtain a gun, Ms Walters paused before saying: “I’m not going to respond to that.”
She denied she wanted Mr Setka dead.
“No, he’s the father of my children,” she said.
Ms Walters would not comment on the charges but said she would plead not guilty.
“It’s been recorded, it’s subject to investigation and I want to say nothing further about that, because I have to defend very serious charges that have been put against me,” she said.
Ms Walters and Mr Setka appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday on an unrelated matter. The pair entered the court separately.
The CFMEU leader refused to comment on his wife’s charges as he left court.
Ms Walters said she had recently been forced to relocate to Victoria having moved interstate with the couple’s two children.
The Herald Sun last year exclusively revealed Ms Walters claimed she was the victim of verbal abuse and wanted to end their marriage.
A former lawyer, Ms Walters is also charged with incitement to acquire a firearm and making threats to kill.
She is on bail and will reappear in court next week.
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