A Co Down man has denied murdering a man at a house party who was later found in the boot of an abandoned car.
Wesley Harry Vance (27), from Church Gate Studios in Comber, appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court on Friday.
He pleaded "not guilty'' when the charge of murdering Kyle Neil at Mill Street in Comber on April 12 last year was put to him.
Mr Neil sustained multiple knife wounds.
His remains were put in the boot of a Ford Fiesta car which was found abandoned in Windsor Road in south Belfast in the early hours of the morning.
A defence barrister told the court: "He does not dispute that he caused Mr Neil's death and it his case that he acted in self defence, which he made out at his police interviews.''
Also in the dock yesterday to be arraigned was Stephanie Todd from Russell Court in Belfast.
She is charged with assisting offenders by driving the Fiesta car with Mr Neil's body in the boot from Comber to Windsor Road.
The 26-year-old is further accused of driving the car with excess alcohol. She pleaded not guilty' to both charges.
Mr Justice Treacy fixed the trial for May 16. It is expected to last three weeks.
