Man to face trial for murder of Kiwi nurse

Michelle Beets. Photo supplied

SYDNEY - Former US marine Walter Ciaran Marsh has been committed to stand trial for the murder of Sydney nurse Michelle Beets, after a two-day court hearing which heard evidence from his wife.

The 49-year-old New Zealand-born nurse, who came to Australia in August 2008, worked at Royal North Shore Hospital where Ms Beets was a nurse manager.

Ms Beets was killed on the doorstep of her Chatswood home in Sydney's north on April 27 this year, her body found with stab wounds.

Marsh was charged with murder about one month later.

At a committal hearing in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court this week, his wife of two years has given chilling evidence against him, including Marsh's alleged confession of how he cut Ms Beet's throat.

"The bitch is dead", the woman said Marsh told her on the night of Ms Beets' death.

Magistrate Julie Huber set the case down for arraignment in the NSW Supreme Court on December 3.

"Having regard to the evidence which is now before the court, I'm satisfied that it is capable of satisfying a jury properly instructed ... that the accused has committed an indictable offence," she said.

From the dock, Marsh replied, "no," when asked if he wanted to say anything.

He rubbed his eyes as though upset by the decision.

- AAP