Family and friends of murdered woman Nikita Chawla have packed the Victorian Supreme Court, dressed in pink and blue, only to hear the trial of the man accused of her killing has been delayed.
Parminder Singh, 29, appeared via videolink for the directions hearing in which the court was told he had run out of money and needed to be assessed by a forensic psychologist, but there were none available.
Singh, of Brunswick West, is alleged to have murdered Ms Chawla, his 23-year-old partner, on January 9 because he suspected she was being unfaithful.
In court on Friday, defence barrister Neil Hutton said Singh would need to be referred to Legal Aid after he had trouble getting funds for private lawyers.
"They have currently failed to get sufficient funds," Mr Hutton said.
He also said lawyers seeking a forensic psychological assessment of Singh had "struck difficulty" with the number of practitioners available to do in-custody work.
He had expected a report would have been available for the directions hearing but it hadn't come to fruition because of these difficulties.
The directions hearing, which had been arranged to set a trial date, was adjourned until July 17.
Ms Chawla's mother, Sunila Chawla, held a portrait of her daughter throughout the hearing.
Outside the court, Ms Chawla's brother Tarang Chawla said the family had organised a candlelight vigil for victims of violence to be held on Sunday, June 21, in honour of Ms Chawla's birthday.
"We are devastated by Nikita's death," Mr Chawla said.
"We are disappointed by the delay and the system putting the rights of alleged perpetrators ahead of victims and their families."
The vigil, organised in partnership with numerous anti-violence organisations, will take place from 6.15pm at Queensbridge Square in Southbank.
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