A 39-year old Co Antrim man appeared in court yesteday where he denied murdering Larne man Laurence Shaw.
Jackie Murray McDowell appeared at Antrim Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, charged with three offences.
The remains of 56-year old Laurence Shaw were discovered in his Hillmount Gardens home in Larne's Seacourt estate last October.
McDowell, of Laharna Avenue in Larne, has been charged with murdering Mr Shaw on October 8 last year. When the charge was put to him eand when he was asked how he pleaded, the 39-year old replied "not guilty."
He was also charged with an arson attack on Mr Shaw's home, and perverting the course of justice by setting fire to Mr Shaw's house in an attempt to conceal murder. The accused denied both those charges.
Defence barrister Charles MacCreanor QC told Mr Justice Colton this was "a case where there will be substantial agreement of the evidence." He also revealed the defence has engaged with a number of experts.
The case will be reviewed again in September ahead of the trial, which is expected to last a week and is due to commence on December 3.
McDowell, who appeared in court using a crutch, was remanded back into custody.