Police have interviewed a total of 131 witnesses to build their case against Michael Cardamone, 49.

The defence will question 15 of the witnesses, including forensic experts.

Cardamone was charged with the murder of his neighbour in January after Ms Chetcuti’s body was found near Lake Buffalo.

Lawyer Brendan Wilkinson previously said his client would contest charges because his identity as the alleged murderer was in question.

“There's no DNA evidence at this point,” he said in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Cardamone appeared via video-link with a shaved head and without the grey beard he had two weeks ago.

Mr Wilkinson said his client would appear at the committal hearing in Wangaratta in person.

The case was adjourned for a committal hearing to run from March 8 to 10.

The witness list could be extended to 16 people if police entered DNA evidence before the hearing.

Friends and family of Ms Chetcuti have been attending all of Cardamone’s court appearances since his arrest and were in Wangaratta court again on Monday.

Mr Wilkinson said the prisoner had no custody management issues to address in the six months before the next hearing.