A NSW couple accused of starving a young girl to death will learn later this month if they are permitted to have contact with a potential witness in the case.
Blakeley Ward, 46, and Sharyn Ward, 37, briefly appeared via video link in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday on charges of murdering a seven-year-old girl.
She weighed just nine kilograms when her emaciated body was found in a room littered with faeces at a home in Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, on November 3 last year.
Lawyer Mandy Hull, representing Sharyn Ward, requested that an additional matter be heard regarding an interim order preventing contact between the Wards and a potential witness.
Police obtained the order from the courts in November, and Christine Robinson, acting for the Crown, expressed concern that revoking the order would "interfere" with any potential testimony from that person.
Magistrate Michael Morahan said he was not prepared to deal with the matter, and adjourned it to a Sydney court on January 30.
Ms Robinson said the Crown was waiting on outstanding evidence before moving forward with the murder case.
A final draft of the autopsy, statements from government agencies and doctors, and Mr Ward's financial statements were being sought before the couple's next appearance at Newcastle Local Court on February 13.
Neither accused applied for bail and it was formally refused by Mr Morahan.
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