Blackwood murder accused will fight charge

The man accused of murdering Melbourne mother Kylie Blackwood in her home three years ago is expected to fight the charge.

Scott Alan Murdoch, 38, is likely to face a contested committal hearing next year to see if he will stand trial for killing the 42-year-old Pakenham woman, a Melbourne court heard on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said 80 witnesses have given police information relating to the death of Ms Blackwood, whose body was discovered by her 11-year-old twin daughters when they got home from school on August 1, 2013.

Between 15 and 20 of the witnesses will be called to give evidence during the committal next year, the court heard.

Magistrate Peter Reardon granted leave for a DNA expert to be included among the list of witnesses.

Clothing recovered from the scene needs to be analysed, prosecutors said during a brief hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Murdoch, of Morwell, refused to get on the prison bus and so did not appear in court.

He will return to court on August 30.