Woman’s death case lies
Girlfriend of accused Corio killer to plead guilty to perjury
THE girlfriend of the man accused of murdering a Geelong mother will plead guilty to trying to cover up the death.
Monique Stones faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday where her lawyer revealed the 21-year-old would plead guilty to perjury.
The charge relates to a statement Ms Stones made following the death of Raichele Galea in June last year.
Ms Galea, 44, died of multiple stab wounds after stopping in at a Corio unit on the way home from her job at a South Geelong recycling plant.
Norlane man Travis Wills, 21, has been charged with her murder.
Mr Wills — who is Ms Stones’ partner — has also been charged with perjury and attempted armed robbery.
It is alleged that Mr Wills provided a statement to police in Geelong the day after the incident that falsely claimed he had no knowledge of, or involvement in, Ms Galea’s death.
The Geelong Magistrates’ Court has previously heard Ms Stones had made two statements to police about the incident.
She was silent during yesterday’s brief hearing, and had her bail extended until an expected plea hearing on August 13. Mr Wills has been in custody since being charged in January and will next face court in September.
Public knowledge of the circumstances around Ms Galea’s death remain vague.
Her family have previously told media they did not know why she had gone to the Matthews Rd property instead of driving home to Waurn Ponds.
The flat where police allege the mother-of-two was stabbed to death is home to Mr Wills’ relative.
Detectives involved in the case spoke publicly last year that their investigation was being hampered by “vastly” different versions of events from the people they had interviewed.
In the wake of the charges laid earlier this year, friends and loved ones of Ms Galea told News Corp they were hopeful of justice.
“Whatever is to come, at least we are starting to get some closure,” her partner, Anthony Santuccione, said.