FIVE people charged as part of a police probe into the alleged murder of a Carlisle man have appeared in front of a judge.
Detectives launched a large scale probe after the body of 26-year-old Lee McKnight was found in the River Caldew, in the area of Blackwell Hall, near Cummersdale, early last Friday morning.
Jamie Andrew Davison, 25; Carol Diane Edgar, 46; her 25-year-old daughter, Coral Edgar; and 51-year-old Paul Roberts each face one charge. This alleges that they murdered Mr McKnight on July 24.
Davison, of Beverley Rise, Carlisle; mother and daughter Carol Edgar and Coral Edgar, both of Charles Street, Carlisle; and Roberts, of Grey Street, Carlisle; all appeared at the city’s crown court this afternoon (FRI) – over video links from custody – for a preliminary hearing lasting 15 minutes.
So, too, did a fifth person, 40-year-old Janice Edgar, of Dale End Road, Carlisle, who faces three charges: one of assisting an offender which alleges she “assisted with the disposal of a body” on July 24; and two alleging possession of class A heroin and class C substances diazepam and pregabalin – all with intent to supply.
Judge John Altham and three legal counsel in the case – including two QCs – appeared over Skype links, while other barristers were present in court.
The five defendants spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth, and no indications of plea were given by their respective lawyers.
They will next attend a plea and trial preparation hearing which was listed for September 7. A provisional trial date was set for May 4 next year. The court heard the possible time estimate for such a trial in front of a jury was four to five weeks.
In the meantime, all five defendants were remanded in custody by Judge Altham.
