Alleged Vic murder after court appearance

A man allegedly bought a knife and murdered his former partner in broad daylight after the pair had left a Melbourne court.

Craig McDermott and Fiona Warzywoda attended the Sunshine Magistrates Court in 2014, having separated a couple of months prior after about 18 years together, the Supreme Court of Victoria heard on Wednesday.

Ms Warzywoda, shortly before the hearing on April 16, told court staff McDermott had approached her and said: "You're ****ed", Crown prosecutor Brendan Kissane QC said.

The pair left the court about midday and drove separately to a nearby shopping centre, Ms Warzywoda going to her solicitor's office and McDermott walking around with his son, Mr Kissane said.

He told the court McDermott purchased a knife before going to a cafe and watching Ms Warzywoda's car.

"When she returned to the car from the solicitor's office, he moved quickly toward her and stabbed her with a knife," he told the jury in McDermott's trial.

"He stabbed her six times with that knife."

Mr Kissane said the alleged attack only lasted for up to 40 seconds, and McDermott then ran and tried to dispose of the knife at a construction site.

McDermott has pleaded not guilty to Ms Warzywoda's murder.

His barrister, John Desmond, said McDermott had not bought the knife at all, and it was Ms Warzywoda who had it.

He said Ms Warzywoda confronted McDermott with the knife when he went to talk to her, and a struggle ensued.

A person was entitled to defend themselves, Mr Desmond told the jury.

"Death is confronting," he said.

"Equally though, a false allegation of murder is a confronting issue."

Mr Desmond said there were huge disparities between eyewitness accounts.

McDermott also denied telling Ms Warzywoda "You're ****ed" and rejected a witness claim that he said he was going to "slice her" the day before the alleged incident, the court heard.

The trial continues.