National

Kill plot charge dropped for union boss' estranged wife

By AAP Newswire

Aug 11, 2023

Several charges have been dropped against Emma Walters (left) including conspiracy to murder. -AAP Image

John Setka's estranged wife allegedly made a threat to kill the union heavyweight but she will no longer face a charge of conspiring to murder him.

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Emma Walters, 46, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday where the prosecution withdrew several charges including the conspiracy offence.

She is instead accused of making a threat to kill Setka to private investigator Adrian Peeters on March 21.

It's alleged she made the threat, intending that Mr Peeters would "fear such threat would be carried out" or "being reckless as to whether or not" he would fear the threat would be carried out, court documents state.

She is also facing another charge of attempting to acquire a firearm without a permit.

Walters, who remained quiet throughout the brief hearing, is denying all of the allegations.

She is due to return to court on November 21 for a committal hearing. She remains on bail.

Setka and Walters have been involved in a long-running legal battle involving allegations he committed acts of domestic violence, which he has denied.

She is also suing the Victorian government over claims police failed to protect her.

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