A man charged with the murder of his wife at their home in western Sydney will plead guilty to manslaughter, a court has been told.
Engracio Songcuan, 74, was set to stand trial this week over the alleged murder of his 69-year-old wife Erlinda in May 2020.
The mother of four’s body was found in the garage of the couple’s home in Woodcroft.
In the immediate hours after Mrs Songcuan’s death, a police helicopter spotted the family’s car at Blacktown train station and Mr Songcuan was arrested a short time later at Richmond train stationxjmtzyw.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder; however, his trial was not able to begin as planned this week after one of the legal representatives in the case was forced into isolation with Covid.
In the NSW Supreme Court at Katoomba on Thursday, defence barrister Brian Royce said when the trial started Mr Songcuan would plead guilty to manslaughter.
“I know the plea is going to be rejected,” Mr Royce said.
The court was told that issues of excessive self-defence and provocation would be raised in Mr Songcuan’s case.
The trial is now due to begin in Sydney on March 9.
Mr Songcuan remains remanded in custody.
