Vic killer mum wanted fresh start: court

A Victorian woman who killed her partner with a pickaxe was likely motivated by the prospect of a fresh start with a new partner, a jury has heard.

A Victorian woman who killed her partner with a pickaxe wanted a fresh start, a jury has heard. (AAP)

A Victorian mum who began dating her partner's best friend just weeks after killing him with a pickaxe was likely driven by the prospect of a fresh start, a jury has heard.

Angela Williams hit Douglas Kally 16 times with the axe and buried his body in the yard of the home they shared with their two children.

She then started a relationship with Mr Kally's best friend, David Granger, within weeks of killing her partner in July 2008.

Prosecutor Brendan Kissane told the Victorian Supreme Court trial that Williams was most likely sick of Mr Kally.

"When Angela Williams took the pickaxe to Douglas Kally was it because she was sick of him and because she could see there was a nicer life with David Granger just around the corner?", he asked the jury.

"Is it easier just to get rid of him so she can move on?

"The fact she's pretty quickly in the arms of David Granger, it's said that provides the incentive."

After killing Mr Kally, Williams told people that he had abandoned the family to move to his favourite NSW fishing spot.

Williams, 45, of St Leonards, admits to killing her partner of 23 years but has pleaded not guilty to his murder.

She claims she lashed out to protect herself after years of domestic abuse.

Mr Kissane said Williams was not in fear of Mr Kally when she launched her "brutal" attack.

He said one of Williams' friends had told of once seeing Williams chase Mr Kally with an axe during an argument.

"She is someone who is quite capable of standing up for herself," he said.

Defence barrister Leonard Hartnett described Mr Kissane's theory on Williams' apparent motive as absurd.

"She decides in the middle of the night with her young daughter in the next room and her son adjacent to take Mr Kally's life with 16 blows to the head? Absurd," he told the jury.

Mr Kally was a drug dealer and an alcoholic with a propensity of violence towards Williams and their children, Mr Hartnett said.

He described Williams as a prisoner to Mr Kally's cruelty and derelict lifestyle.

The jury will retire to consider its verdict next week.