A YOUTH accused of murder following the death of Carlisle man Lee McKnight will appear at the city’s crown court next month along with five adults jointly facing the same charge.
Earlier this week, the 17-year-old male became the sixth person to be charged with murder after the body of 26-year-old Mr McKnight was found in the river Caldew, in the Blackwell Hall area near Cummersdale, on the early morning of July 24.
Three men and two women – a mother and daughter – all from Carlisle have already appeared in front of a judge, and been remanded in custody ahead of a hearing on October 12 at which they are due to enter pleas to the murder allegation. A third woman who faces one charge which alleges she assisted an offender will also appear on that day.
They will all now be joined by the 17-year-old, who appeared in front of a judge at the city’s crown court this morning (FRI).
The youth, who can’t be identified because of his age, is accused of murder having previously been charged with assisting an offender as part of the same police investigation.
Over a video link, the teenager – who spoke to confirm his name and date of birth – was told during this morning’s brief hearing that he would next appear in front of a judge on October 12 with the other defendants.
In the meantime he will remain remanded in a young offenders’ institution.
A trial date has been provisionally listed to start in May next year and, it is estimated, will last around five weeks.
