The case against a woman accused of murdering her live-in girlfriend is likely a few months away from a preliminary hearing, officials said Thursday.

Pamela Walker, 35, has been in custody since April, when she was arrested for the stabbing death of her girlfriend Christine Diane McQueen, aka Christine Diane Himmle.

The two got into a verbal altercation and Himmie attacked Walker, according to homicide officials. Deputies forced entry into the home and discovered Himmle, who was pronounced dead from a stab wound at the scene.

Himmle was pronounced dead at 6:02 p.m., only 16 minutes after emergency responders arrived.

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Walker and her mother were at the mother’s residence in Toluca Lake, where Walker was then arrested.

Related story: Canyon Country Woman Accused Of Girlfriend’s Stabbing Murder Due Back In Court

Attorneys for both sides are working through the process of discovery in the case, which is preparation for the case’s preliminary hearing.

“Discovery” in legal terms is known as the process by which the incriminating evidence the prosecution has and exculpatory evidence the defense are shared in preparation for the preliminary hearing.

At the hearing, the evidence is presented to a judge who determines whether there’s enough evidence to merit proceeding with a trial.

Her next hearing date in the case is expected to be December 7.

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