The man accused of the domestic violence murder of Molly Ticehurst appears one step closer to entering a plea, with nearly 18 months of "fragile" legal negotiations almost complete.
Daniel Billings, 30, is charged with murdering Ms Ticehurst at her home in Forbes, central western NSW, in the early hours of April 22, 2024.
During a brief mention in Parkes Local Court on Friday morning, Billings' Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston said negotiations with prosecutors were at an advanced stage.
"They are in a fragile place, but we have done a lot of work over the last seven weeks since the last appearance in court," Ms Elston said.
The parties were "90 per cent" on an agreed statement of facts, deputy senior crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC said via audio-visual link from Sydney.
The case was adjourned to Forbes Local Court in November.
Magistrate Michael Maher ordered the legal representatives appear in person and Billings via audio-visual link from custody in the supermax wing of Goulburn jail.
While acknowledging the case was complex, Mr Maher said it should be dealt with "expeditiously".
A large group of Ms Ticehurst's family and friends were in the public gallery to watch proceedings, as they have been for the seven court mentions since Billings was initially charged.
Ms Ticehurst's death intensified a national movement against domestic and gendered violence.
Billings, Ms Ticehurst's former boyfriend, had been freed on bail by a local court registrar a fortnight before the alleged murder on charges including three counts of sexual intercourse without consent against her.
Billings was also charged with four counts of stalking and intimidating her, destroying her property and aggravated animal cruelty against her 12-week-old dachshund puppy in 2023.
Four more serious charges, including one count of aggravated sexual assault, were laid in December 2024.
Legal documents before the court accused Billings of threatening to cause Ms Ticehurst further physical harm during the alleged aggravated sexual assault.
Ms Ticehurst's funeral was attended by the state premier, state police commissioner and hundreds of Forbes locals
He is facing a total of 17 charges, including breaching an AVO that was in place to protect Ms Ticehurst.
The ensuing movement against gendered violence sparked changes to NSW laws, including stripping registrars of the power to grant bail and "show cause" thresholds for domestic violence-related bail applications.
A specific bail division of the local court was also created in July, ensuring bail applications can be dealt with more quickly in virtual courtrooms.
Billings' case returns to court on November 3.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
