Los Angeles (CNN) -- A Los Angeles judge on Thursday denied Shelly Sterling's request to prevent estranged husband Donald Sterling and his legal team from contacting witnesses in the couple's court battle over whether she controls the Los Angeles Clippers. Shelly Sterling has a pending court case in which she is asking a judge to uphold her negotiated sale of the couple's ownership of the NBA team despite her husband's objections. She and her attorneys accused her husband of making a death threat against one of her lawyers and leaving intimidating threats against two doctors who certified Donald Sterling as mentally incapacitated.
@highlight
NEW: Judge says it's "no surprise" the case has "high emotions" and "posturing"
@highlight
NEW: Judge asks parties "to tone down the pre-trial communications"
@highlight
Donald Sterling tells wife's attorney: "I am going to take you out, O'Donnell!"
@highlight
Sterling allegedly left intimidating voice-mail messages for two doctors
Shelly Sterling's maneuver to seek a probate court trial comes as three physicians say Donald Sterling, 80, is mentally incapacitated, @placeholder has said.