Claims of "very weak" forensic evidence helped Robert John Crawford, 47, get bail in the Queensland Supreme Court on Friday after almost seven months in custody.
Crawford had been arrested, and charged with murder and interfering with a corpse on October 10, 2024.
His wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford was found dead near a ride-on lawnmower at a rural Upper Lockyer property, west of Brisbane, in July 2024.
Prosecutors accused Crawford of strangling his wife in a "murderous rage" then moving her body to stage her death to look like a late-night accident on the lawnmower.
Justice Frances Williams handed down her decision on Crawford's bail application after reserving her judgment for almost three weeks.
Crawford had called emergency services about 3.40am on July 30, 2024 and told them he had found his wife at the bottom of a retaining wall and a lawnmower had fallen on her.
He told police his wife got up during the night to move the lawnmower away from automated water sprinklers.
Prosecutors previously told Justice Williams that Crawford was charged on the basis of "inconsistencies" between his statement to police and expert analysis of the forensic evidence.
During an April bail hearing, defence barrister Saul Holt said "very weak" interpretations of forensic evidence, including an autopsy and blood drops documented in an ensuite bathroom, had been used to charge his client.
"Critically (the forensic pathologist) can't choose between injuries to the neck and injuries to the head as being the cause of death," Mr Holt said.
He said an autopsy report stated Ms Crawford could have died from being manually strangled or from falling under a lawnmower.
"(The pathologist) concludes the accident scenario cannot be ruled out on the basis of pathologic findings alone."
Justice Williams was shown death scene photographs that Mr Holt said cast doubt on the prosecution's case.
"It's highly unusual to see a prosecution case based on evidence so obviously flawed just based on an analysis of the documents," Mr Holt said.
Crown prosecutor Chris Cook previously said Crawford was an "unacceptable risk" of fleeing Queensland or interfering with witnesses.
He said the forensic report favoured strangulation as the cause of death rather than pressure from the ride-on's steering wheel.
"(Frances Crawford) was conscious and actively resisting, not falling off the back of a lawnmower," Mr Cook said.
Mr Cook claimed Crawford was a master manipulator and police records showed his wife had sought a protective order as she "felt very unsafe".
Justice Williams heard people close to Crawford had provided statements that he was "really good at manipulating people and painting himself as the victim".
Mr Holt said Crawford had been working toward reconciliation with his wife.
"He frankly acknowledges the fact he had been engaged in infidelity over a long period of time," he said.
Mr Holt said Crawford's links to civilian aero clubs with small single-engined aircraft would not increase his risk of fleeing the charges.
."If he was going to flee to Ballina (in northern NSW) that might work, but not really to anywhere overseas," he said.
Justice Williams on Friday said the bail hearing had not been a trial and she could not comment on the evidence's specific strengths or weaknesses.
"I have reached the conclusion that there are parts of the Crown's evidence which are contestable and are likely to be subject to considerable debate at committal," she said.
"This moderates to some extent the strength of the Crown's case and in turn moderates the risk of flight."
Crawford's bail conditions include a curfew and $250,000 surety.
His murder charge is due to to be next heard on October 8 at Ipswich Magistrates Court for committal proceedings.
Crawford has been suspended from the Royal Australian Air Force and barred from entering defence bases.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
7°C