An elderly man accused of murdering his wife in Creswick on Christmas night is likely to face a judge alone hearing to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
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Edward Rowen, 83, faced the Supreme Court via video link on Friday for a post committal directions hearing.
He is charged with one count of murder over the death of his 79-year-old wife, Rosalie Rowen, in Creswick.
Police found Rowen's wife with life threatening injuries at a home on Melbourne Road after 10pm on December 25. She was taken to hospital where she died the following morning.
An issue of Rowen's fitness to plead and the defence of mental impairment at the time of the alleged murder was raised during Friday's hearing.
Crown prosecutor Leighton Gwynn said the prosecution was preparing a Forensicare report and Rowen was "unfit on almost every category and there is an opinion of mental impairment as well".
Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said after receiving the expert reports from the prosecution, she would make a decision in September as to how the matter would proceed.
"I require the prosecution to file and serve any expert reports addressing the issues of fitness and mental impairment by August 31," Justice Hollingworth said.
All parties agreed Rowen was likely to face a judge alone hearing, rather than in front of a jury, to determine if he was fit to stand trial.
If the judge finds Rowen is unlikely to become fit to stand trial within 12 months, the matter will be adjourned to a special hearing.
If it is likely he will recover within that time, the judge must adjourn the matter.
Rowen was remanded in custody to appear via video link at the Supreme Court in Melbourne on September 4 for a directions hearing. He did not make an application for bail.
Defence lawyer Christina (Crystle) Gmez Vzquez declined an offer to speak to Rowen in private on the video link immediately after the hearing, saying "conversations are very difficult".
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