Perth Sheriff Court came to Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital as a murder suspect appeared from his bedside before Sheriff Robert McCreadie.
Neil Cumming (45), of Mary Findlay Drive in the Carse village of Longforgan, had earlier been arrested by Tayside Police as part of the investigation into the murder of his wife Jane Cumming (40) last month.
Due to his severe injuries, Mr Cumming had been heavily sedated since the incident on July 15 and police had remained at his bedside until he was conscious and able to be interviewed.
However he was still too badly injured to be moved, so the decision was made by the Crown Office to convene the private court appearance at his bedside.
The petition alleges two charges, one of murder on July 15 at Mary Findlay Drive and a charge of dangerous driving on the A90 near Riverside Drive on the same date.
Also in attendance during the hearing were Alan Kempton, principal procurator fiscal depute in Perth, defence solicitor Cheryl Clark from Perth solicitor firm Miller & McKay and Perth sheriff clerk depute Charles Allardyce.
Cumming made no plea or declaration and will remain under police guard in hospital while the case is continued for further examination.
The hearing now allows the crown to proceed with important legal steps.
Tayside Police confirmed last night they had arrested a 45-year-old man.
The body of mother-of-two Jane was found in the house just hours after a road crash in which her husband was seriously injured on the A90 near the Swallow roundabout.
Blairgowrie-born Mrs Cumming, a sales adviser at TSB in Dundee’s Albert Street, is survived by her husband and their two children.
The youngsters are staying with relatives, and police family liaison officers will remain with them while the investigation is carried out.