Elderly Waikato Man Charged With Attempting To Murder His Wife After Suspected Failed Suicide Pact

An elderly man from Waikato stands to defend a charge of the attempted murder of his wife after an alleged failed suicide pact between the couple.

The 81-year-old was granted a further provisional name removal when he appeared before Judge Timothy Brewer in Hamilton Superior Court this morning.

The charge stems from an incident in the couple’s rural hometown on October 12.

The man’s attorney, Roger Laybourn, successfully requested the continued provisional removal of the name to protect not only his client’s mental health, but also that of his wife.

He said the alleged incident was the result of a suicide pact between the couple.

Judge Brewer described it as a “very sad case.”

While Laybourn had not yet pleaded guilty, Judge Brewer pleaded not guilty on his behalf so that the judicial process could continue.

The judge said that with him entering the guilty plea, any impact of a change in the guilty plea would not affect the defendant and the discounts to which he would be entitled.

Justice Brewer also set a trial date for one week from August 2 of next year.

He also ordered that a report be completed on the mental capacity of the accused to stand trial.

The defendant, who was indicted the day the results of the country’s euthanasia referendum were announced, received new bail to reappear in January.

The Herald understands that the wife was unharmed after the incident and that they had been together for more than 50 years.