Ristevski committal decision due in Vic
Accused Melbourne wife-killer Borce Ristevski is set to find out whether he will stand trial charged with murdering his wife Karen Ristevski.
Ristevski, 54, allegedly killed his dress shop-owner wife, 47, at their Avondale Heights home on June 29, 2016 before dumping her body in the bush.
Over almost two weeks in July, Ristevski faced a high-profile committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court to determine whether he goes to trial charged with murder.
Magistrate Suzanne Cameron is due to deliver her committal decision on Thursday.
Dozens of witnesses testified during the hearing, including the couple's daughter Sarah Ristevski, who said her father was "never" aggressive towards her mother.
After his wife vanished, Ristevski claimed she had gone for a walk to clear her mind and never returned.
Eight months later, Ms Ristevski's skeletal remains were found between two logs at Macedon Regional Parkin by two horticulturalists who had noticed a strange smell.
Ristevski, who was a pallbearer at his wife's funeral, was later charged with murder after a police investigation that involved phone taps, listening devices and CCTV footage analysis.
The court heard Ms Ristevski's fashion store Bella Bleu was struggling financially at the time she vanished and she and her husband would occasionally argue over money.
Ristevski's lawyers say the murder charge should be abandoned because even if a jury were to find he killed her, there is no evidence of "murderous intent".
Although they do concede there is enough evidence for a manslaughter trial.
Prosecutors want a murder trial and say Ristevski's deceitful behaviour after the alleged killing gives rise to the required intent, including hiding the body and lying to police and family.
"This isn't just an accidental killing,' prosecutor Matt Fisher said in closing submissions.
