Defence lawyer Shashi Nathan said he would not rule out seeking an amendment to the murder charge against Guen Aguilar after his conversations with her gave the defence team a clearer picture of what may have transpired.

Nathan said he would also base his decision on seeking to amend the charges after evaluating the psychiatric report on Aguilar, the autopsy report on the victim, the forensic evidence and his team's own investigations.

Aguilar, 29, is accused of killing fellow Filipina domestic Jane La Puebla last month -- a crime punishable by hanging in Singapore, where thousands of Filipinas work as maids.

The 26-year-old La Puebla's severed head and limbs were found inside a sports bag along Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district on September 9, while her torso was found at a nature park.

Aguilar was arrested the following day.

"She has given us quite a detailed picture of what took place," Nathan told reporters after Friday's pre-trial hearing at the Subordinate Court, referring to their recent conversations.

"I think given the information that Guen has given us, I may even make representations to the Attorney General's Chambers at some point to see whether the charge can be amended."

He said there are "many things lower than a murder charge" that do not carry the death penalty.

"The important thing is to save a life -- that's what I want to do. And if we can save a life, I think we would have gone a long way to helping her," Nathan said.

A pre-trial meeting on the case was scheduled on December 6 at the High Court to prepare for a possible trial, which Nathan said could start either in late February or early March.

During Friday's session, Aguilar was in handcuffs and garbed in a maroon prison uniform. In the gallery was her husband, Edwin, and eldest sister Joy, who was seen wiping away tears.

Nathan said Aquilar broke down a few times during their recent conversations and was "extremely fearful" about her fate.

"It's understandable... I think you can't run away from the fact that if you have a capital charge, there is fear of losing your life," he said.

The Aguilar case has sparked intense interest in the Philippines because of similarities with that of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina domestic hanged here in 1995 for killing another Filipina maid and a Singaporean boy.

Contemplacion's hanging strained bilateral ties, which have since improved.

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