A woman told court staff she had been threatened before she was stabbed to death in a Melbourne street, a court has heard.
Craig McDermott, 38, has been charged with the murder of his partner Fiona Warzywoda, 33, in front of lunchtime shoppers at Sunshine on April 16, after the two had been in court over a family violence order.
His lawyer Annie-Marie Stephanides said she wanted to cross-examine two staff from the Sunshine Magistrates Court about conversations they had with Ms Warzywoda earlier that day.
The staff say Ms Warzywoda approached them and reported threats against her, the Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.
"The making of the threat is what's in dispute," Ms Stephanides told the court.
"They give some differing observations in terms of the demeanour of the deceased."
Ms Stephanides said it was vital the court staff be cross-examined because their exchanges with Ms Warzywoda were an important part of the prosecution's case against McDermott.
"It's really going to be an observation issue ... a finder of fact about whether that threat actually occurred," she said.
The court also heard forensic analysis of a knife was yet to be finalised.
About 26 witnesses will testify during a committal hearing for McDermott, of Sunshine North, from December 1.
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