A MAN will face trial next year after denying a murder in North Yorkshire.
Oktay Kilic, 40 appeared over a video link from Hull prison during a 15 minute hearing at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.
When the charge alleging he murdered Mark Leslie John Berney on August 3 was put to him, he replied: “Not guilty. I accept responsibility for his death but do not accept the charge of murder.”
The body of Mr Berney, 44, from Knaresborough, was discovered with stab wounds in a car at Whipley Bank near Ripley, north of Harrogate.
Dates were given to counsel in the case when skeleton arguments on some issues and final expert reports should be served. The trial is estimated to last between five to seven days.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC told Kilic at the end of the hearing: “It looks as though everything is on course for your trial to commence as planned on January 12. Obviously you will be remanded in custody until then.”
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