Overview
- A Crown Court judge set a plea hearing and a provisional trial after the case moved up from the magistrates' court.
- Prosecutors accuse 92-year-old Laurence Billam of murdering his wife, 87-year-old Shirley Billam, in Exeter.
- Police discovered Shirley dead during a welfare check at a Millbrook Lane property on April 19.
- Detectives say the investigation continues with forensic follow-up at the address, and specialist officers are supporting the family.
- Court reporting has described alleged smothering and a later overdose, which remain unconfirmed in police statements.