<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The husband of a woman found dead in a ransacked home three decades ago will face trial accused of her murder.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Craig Freeman, 63, was charged in 2025 with his wife Melinda Freeman's murder 34 years ago.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police say the 27-year-old woman was found dead in a ransacked </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Whittlesea home"><span>Whittlesea home</span></a><span>, in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/melbourne" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne"><span>Melbourne</span></a><span>'s outer north, on October 4, 1991, after she was assaulted.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/teen-arrested-after-allegedly-stolen-puppy-located-30-kilometres-from-home/9fa0e8f4-90a4-4f6a-b9e4-9747e3bd7c44"><strong><span>Two women arrested after stolen puppy located 30 kilometres from home</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fine-for-nursing-home-after-residents-died-during-covid/a173253d-22a8-4199-9581-0f516c320d0d"><strong><span>Nursing home fined after 45 residents died during COVID</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman claimed he found his wife's body lying on the top landing of their two-storey home after returning to the property with their son and finding the front door open.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was granted bail in December on a $500,000 surety, put up by his current wife, after the prosecution did not oppose his application.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/craig-freeman-court-updates-man-to-face-trial-for-his-wifes-decadesold-murder/3704f70d-8a82-4a2f-93b1-43fe74c075ed" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Justice Michael Croucher found Freeman had demonstrated exceptional circumstances to permit his release on bail, including that the prosecution's case was circumstantial and an issue at trial would be the alleged killer's identity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman faced </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne Magistrates Court"><span>Melbourne Magistrates Court</span></a><span> today, where his lawyer Paul Galbally said his client had elected to send the matter to the Supreme Court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The accused killer stood as he pleaded not guilty to one count of murder.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Magistrate Stephen Ballek ordered Freeman face the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="Supreme Court"><span>Supreme Court</span></a><span> for a directions hearing on March 26.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Freeman was placed on trial bail with conditions including he not leave </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span>, report to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="" title="police"><span>police</span></a><span> twice a week, and not contact any prosecution witnesses.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 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