Husband charged with wife’s murder 10 years on

The husband of Susi Johnston has appeared in court charged with murder following a Homicide Squad investigation into the mother’s death on a Borden farm 10 years ago.

Gregory Paul Johnston, 61, made a brief appearance in custody in Albany Magistrate’s Court this afternoon facing the murder charge.

Mr Johnston acknowledged the charge read to him with his defence lawyer Carolyn Smiddy-Brown telling the court no plea would be entered and requested the matter be adjourned to the Stirling Garden Magistrates Court.

The couple were involved in a crash on a Borden farm north of Albany on Saturday December 6, 2008 with the car leaving the farm road, hitting a tree and bursting into flames

Mrs Johnston, who was the only passenger, was trapped inside and located dead by emergency services personnel with the driver escaping without serious injury.

Homicide Squad detectives reopened their investigation into the death of Mrs Johnston in September last year after receiving fresh information.

At the time, Detective Sergeant Luke Fowler said the investigation was “complex” and involved not only examining the crash but also piecing together the whole circumstances.

Mr Johnston was remanded in custody to appear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on February 28.