Donald Morley pleads guilty to murdering wife Jean Morley by suffocating her with a pillow at their home in Fisher, Canberra
- Donald Morley is charged in the death of his wife
- Entered a guilty plea on Friday
- The sentencing date could be set next week
- 1800RESPECT, Lifeline on 13 11 14
A vulnerable elderly man has admitted suffocating his 69-year-old wife with a pillow to end her suffering from dementia.
Sporting bandages around the top of his head, Donald Morley, 93, appeared in the ACT Supreme Court via audio-visual link on Friday.
He was charged with murder after his wife Jean, 92, was found dead at their home in the Canberra suburb of Fisher on July 30 this year.
Morley is currently in custody in a hospital psychiatric unit for the elderly.
He was sitting in a chair when he appeared via video link alongside Legal Aid lawyer Nathan Deakes, who asked the court if his client could remain seated during the hearing ‘due to his vulnerability at this time’.
Donald Morley (left) has pleaded guilty to the murder of his 69-year-old wife Jean (right)
Morley answered “guilty” when asked how he would plead to the charges: The Canberra Times reported.
The court also found that there was no fitness to argue issues.
It is understood Morley is the oldest person charged with murder in the ACT.
According to police documents previously tendered to the court, Morley told a nurse who discovered Mrs Morley’s body during a routine visit that he had ‘done something terrible’.
“I suffocated her with a pillow last night,” Morley allegedly told the nurse.
The court also heard Morley told the nurse he tried to kill himself in several ways after his wife died.
Jean Morley (pictured) died after her husband suffocated her with a pillow, a court has heard
Jean, 92, was found dead at their home in the Canberra suburb of Fisher on July 30. The couple had lived there for 45 years.
The police are said to have found a suicide note in the house where the couple had lived for more than 45 years.
“After 69 years of marriage, we were both afraid of the future,” part of the note allegedly read.
“Please don’t call this a ‘murder’ suicide.
“I’m sorry for upsetting all our family and friends, this wasn’t easy for me, especially my love.”
A date for the sentencing hearing could be set as early as next week, when the case goes before the clerk’s office.
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
The court previously heard that Jean, 92, was suffering from dementia at the time