A man charged with stabbing his ex-wife to death has sensationally changed his plea almost two years after the murder, telling the judge: ‘I’m guilty, Your Honour.’
Darren Wake, 61, faced the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Monday and reversed his not guilty plea to the murder of midwife Rachel Wake, 52, on Christmas Day 2021.
Wake attacked his former partner with a knife in front of her two teenage children outside of her home on Binalong Road in Mornington, near Hobart.
He initially plead not guilty in October 2022 and intended to take the case to trial.
However Wake backflipped after more than a year of delays and adjournments in Hobart Magistrates Court that led to the matter being committed to the Supreme Court.
A man charged with stabbing his ex-wife, Rachel Wake (pictured), to death in front of her two teenage sons on Christmas Day 2021 has reversed his plea to guilty
Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates, SC, told the court the prosecution would still need to flesh out disputed facts, The Mercury reported.
Mr Coates said that unless the facts are agreed upon the matter will have to be brought back to court early next year.
He also noted that the Crown will also need time to preparing a number of victim impact statements to be read before the court.
While declining to speak to the media outside of court after the plea, Ms Wake’s family and friends said they were pleased the case was finally coming to its conclusion.
Wake will remain remanded in custody until his next court appearance on February 9 for a court mention before returning once again for a full-day hearing on February 15.
Facing the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Monday afternoon, 61-year-old Darren Wake (pictured), told Justice Helen Wood ‘I’m guilty, Your Honour’
The death of Ms Wake (pictured) spurred on an outpouring of public grief, with many remembering the midwife for helping them through childbirth
An outpouring of public grief shortly followed Ms Wake’s death, with many women remembering the midwife for helping them through childbirth.
Her funeral was held on January 7 last year, with the funeral notice saying ‘family and friends are warmly invited to attend’.
Anyone attending the funeral was urged to wear bright colours instead of standard black because ‘Rachel was so full of colour’.
‘In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hobart Women’s Shelter and will be gratefully received at the service,’ the funeral notice reads.
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