Maxwell John Pain, 53, of Neilborough, faced the first day of a three-day committal hearing at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of David Paris on June 10 last year.

The court heard Pain was convinced his wife was having an affair with Mr Paris, 36, who was her son-in-law.

Mr Paris and his partner Rebecca Lambert - the daughter of Pain's wife Tracy Bush - had moved to Victoria from Western Australia in 2009 to assist on Pain's farm at Neilborough.

Ms Lambert gave evidence that she believed Pain had been physically and verbally abusive towards her mother, including verbally threatening to shoot her and injuring her jaw in one attack.

Mr Paris' mother Deborah Paris, of Western Australia, also gave evidence she believed Pain had been abusive towards Ms Bush since 2013 and "she was scared of him".

During a visit to the family in April, Ms Paris learnt that Pain believed her son was having an affair with Ms Bush.

"We just laughed, it was ridiculous," Ms Paris said.

Ms Bush also gave evidence at the hearing, stating the abuse from Pain started four years ago.

She said Pain accused her of having an affair with three different men, including with his best man one month after their marriage in 2002.

Ms Bush said Pain was "too smart" to leave bruises or blood when he attacked her and she never sought medical attention or contacted police.

She said Pain had threatened to "punch the f*** " out of her and break the hands of Mr Paris should he find out the two were having an affair.

The court heard Pain believed he smelt the body odour of Mr Paris in the house and on his wife.

Ms Bush left Pain on June 10 last year to live with her daughter and Mr Paris at Raywood, the day of the alleged murder.

They were cooking dinner at the property, along with Mr Paris and Ms Lambert's young son, and family friend Don Romey when Ms Lambert heard Pain's utility approaching the property about 7pm.

The court heard she ordered everyone inside the house, in particular her mother.

Mr Paris remained outside and confronted Pain, who drove past the house on the property before performing a U-turn and pulling up alongside him.

Pain is then accused of shooting Mr Paris in the stomach while still inside his utility.

Mr Romey approached Pain and told him to go home, while those inside the house called police and ambulance.

Paramedics confirmed Mr Paris dead shortly before 8pm.

The court was told Pain made full admissions to police later in the evening.

Police found a phone on Mr Paris which contained an unopened text message from Pain, stating he was coming after him.

The hearing will continue on Thursday.