I’ll fight murder charge wife

By Sarah Schwager
THE estranged wife of murdered Pakenham man Michael Griffey claimed she was innocent after she was charged with his murder last week.
Diane Griffey appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last Thursday charged with murdering Mr Griffey on 29 December last year, four days before his body was found in the garage of the family’s Ahern Road home.
But Ms Griffey has denied any involvement in the death of her husband.
Her lawyer Brett Bryant said Ms Griffey intended to “strenuously defend the charge laid against her”.
“She retains the full support and love of her family and friends,” Mr Bryant said.
Mr Bryant said Ms Griffey would make a plea of not guilty to the charge at the earliest opportunity.
He said Ms Griffey would also be making an application for bail to the Supreme Court, which he anticipated would be heard in the coming weeks.
Ms Griffey was arrested and charged last Wednesday after being interviewed by police.
Her son Kenny was also arrested but released without charge.
Magistrate Peter Couzens remanded Ms Griffey in custody to return to court for a committal mention on 26 April.
Ms Griffey, 42, did not speak and sat expressionless during the brief filing hearing in a Ford racing shirt, making eye contact with family and friends.
Her children, Kenny, Natasha and Cassy, were all present at the hearing.
Mr Griffey, 45, had been separated from his wife for about 18 months and had moved to a house at San Remo while the family stayed at the Pakenham home.
Mr Griffey’s body was discovered in the garage at about 9.45pm on 2 January.
Friends and neighbours were shocked by the death of Mr Griffey, who was well known in the community.
In a previous interview with the Gazette, Ms Griffey said it was unlikely the family would continue to live in Pakenham in the long term.
The website of Kenny, an up and coming sprint car driver, has been temporarily shut down. Emblazoned across the front page of the site are the words: “Team Griffey Stands United”.