Hobart man to stand trial over alleged murder of midwife Rachel Wake
Hobart man will stand trial over the alleged murder of midwife Rachel Wake, who died on Christmas Day after she was allegedly stabbed to death.
Police & Courts
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DARREN Mark Wake, who allegedly murdered a woman on Christmas Day in front of her two teenage children, has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial.
On Tuesday, the 60-year-old faced the Hobart Magistrates Court via video link, with his lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi entering the not guilty plea on his behalf – some 10 months after the alleged crime.
The death of 52-year-old midwife Rachel Wake on December 25 last year shook the Hobart community, leading to an outpouring of emotional tributes on social media from people she’d helped during her career.
Ms Wake was stabbed at her home on Binalong Road, Mornington, before dying at the Royal Hobart Hospital later the same day.
A number of Ms Wake’s family members were present in court on Tuesday.
The case will now move to the Supreme Court of Tasmania in preparation for trial, with the plea coming after numerous adjournments at the magistrates court.
Magistrate Michael Daly previously heard Mr Wake’s legal team was considering a defence of insanity, with the preparation of a report into his mental state delaying proceedings.
Mr Daly remanded Mr Wake in custody, to appear in the Supreme Court on January 30.
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