Oberin, 29, appeared in Melbourne Supreme Court via Webex for a post-committal directions hearing on Monday, March 29, after he was committed to stand trial over the shooting murder of the father-of-two at Dalton's Bridge in September 2019.
Oberin has pleaded not guilty to the one count of murder.
When asked if there were any outstanding matters, defence counsel Dermot Dann told the court witness Ebony Lackmann had not appeared at the committal hearing and requested she appear at the trial.
‘‘She knew my client and made a statement about the two conversations she had with him in the lead-up to the death of the deceased man,’’ he said.
‘‘Some conversations relate to the property stolen from my client . . . and conversations about who was responsible for the theft . . . and some background evidence about his former relationship.’’
Mr Dann said Ms Lackmann could not be located at the time of the committal hearing and he did not know if she received the summons to attend court.
‘‘It’s unlikely she’s vanished off the face of the earth, so the informant is taking steps he can to rectify the situation,’’ he said.
Mr Dann also asked judicial registrar Timothy Freeman about the timing and location of the trial, which is expected to last 15 days.
Mr Freeman said if an appropriate regional court was available, this year was not out of the question.
‘‘If the trial is to be held in Melbourne, it’s unlikely to be this year,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re working with the County Court to manage trial listings.’’
Mr Freeman set the next directions hearing for June 4, with Oberin and co-accused Kevin Johnson remanded in custody until that date.
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