Self defence would be an issue at the trial of a man accused of stabbing his former partner to death after 'rugby tackling' her in front of shoppers outside a Sunshine shopping centre, a court has heard. Defence barrister John Desmond told the Supreme Court on Monday that one issue in dispute was the police claim that Craig McDermott, 38, had purchased a knife just before he allegedly attacking Fiona Warzywoda. Mr Desmond said a live issue in the case was who had brought the knife to "the event". Mr McDermott is charged with murdering Ms Warzywoda 33, in Hampshire Road on April 16 shortly after the couple had been in court for an intervention order hearing. He was committed to stand trial last Friday after a five-day hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Mr McDermott appeared before Justice Lex Lasry on Monday for a directions hearing where Mr Desmond said the matter would go to trial, with the main issues expected to be self defence and whether Mr McDermott intended to kill or cause serious injury ...
Reported by The Age 1 day ago.
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