A Co Down man pleaded not guilty yesterday to the murder of a 24-year-old in Newtownards.
Rhys Magee (20), from Carrowdore Road in the town, also denied two charges of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the death of Richard Miskelly.
Releasing the father-of-one on continuing bail, Downpatrick Crown Court judge Mr Justice Colton fixed the date of his trial, expected to last up to three weeks, for January 15 next year.
No details surrounding the death of Mr Miskelly were given during the short arraignment hearing held in Belfast, but last week a bail hearing was told that he died outside a house on the Bangor Road in the early hours of February 26 last year.
A post-mortem revealed that he died from a bleed on the brain caused by blunt force trauma to the head.
He also had bruising and abrasions to the side of his neck and two fractures to the jaw.
His bail involves a number of stringent conditions, including a ban on consuming drink and drugs, reporting to police five times a week, and being electronically tagged.
