An 88-year-old woman has been charged with attempted murder over an allegation that she tried to kill her husband at the Perth aged care home where they live together.
Gay Bernadette Branchi was taken into custody late on Thursday from The Queenslea in Claremont, where she shares a room with former Automotive Holdings Group chairman Robert Branchi.
She appeared before Perth Magistrates Court on Friday by audio link from a bedside hearing. She could be heard crying during the proceedings.
Her Legal Aid lawyer sought bail, but the magistrate said she did not have the authority to hear the application because of the seriousness of the charge.
Bail applications involving murder or attempted murder must be heard at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court, which deals with preliminary proceedings and active case management for serious criminal matters destined for the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Stirling Gardens sits once a fortnight. Mrs Branchi is due to appear there on Wednesday, September 30, when she is expected to apply for bail.
The court heard there were concerns about her “cognitive mental capacity”. The magistrate said she was worried about Mrs Branchi remaining in custody because she was particularly vulnerable and possibly living with dementia.
“I have real concerns as to whether she can be remanded in custody,” the magistrate said, adding: “my hands are tied.”
The Queenslea is one of Perth’s most expensive residential aged care homes, with reported lump-sum deposits for a room exceeding 1.6 million Australian dollars.
The Branchis also own a four-bedroom riverside home in Mosman Park, which they bought in 1995 for 1.5 million Australian dollars while Mr Branchi was chairman of Automotive Holdings Group.
Mr Branchi served as chairman of the Perth-based car dealership network from 2004 until his retirement in late 2010, having previously been a director for 25 years. He was also a substantial shareholder, holding more than 17 million shares in 2007.
