THE case against three teenagers accused of the murder of Christopher Meli in west Belfast is "starting to be painfully slow", a defence solicitor has told a court.
Lisburn Magistrates Court heard on Monday that although the officer investigating the 20-year-old's murder and the prosecution should have been in a position to have a timetable for the way forward, "unfortunately the prosecution are not in a position facilitate that".
A Public Prosecution Service lawyer said the officer and its senior directing officer were scheduled to have a meeting to ascertain when the timetable can be produced and asked for a four-week adjournment as "there are a number of matters outstanding".
However, defence lawyers for the alleged killers objected, saying that given the murder happened 10 months ago, the production of evidence "is starting to be painfully slow".
"I think in order to provide focus perhaps the officer in charge could attend on the next occasion," said one of the lawyers.
While 18-year-old Stephen McCann, from Bearnagh Glen in Belfast, is on bail accused of involvement in the murder, a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, and 18-year-old Lee Smyth, from Colinbrook Gardens in west Belfast, are in custody facing the same charge.
Mr Meli, a father-of-one, was discovered on a pathway in the Glasvey Close area of Twinbrook on December 12 last year.
District Judge Peter King said he would allow a two-week adjournment, adding that if no time table was forthcoming by that stage "I would expect the OIC (officer in charge) to give an explanation why".
