A man who stands accused of killing Carlisle man Ryan Kirkpatrick has appeared in front of a crown court judge in the city.
Liam Craig Porter, 32, of Fulmar Place, faces three charges.
One alleges the murder of Mr Kirkpatrick and a second alleges manslaughter and that he unlawfully killed Mr Kirkpatrick — both contrary to common law.
A third charges alleges the assisting of an offender.
All charges arise out of an incident on the night of September 18 last year.
Police were called to Carlyle’s Court, off Fisher Street in Carlisle, at 8.48pm on that date following a report that a man had been knifed.
Despite the best efforts of first responders and medical staff, 24-year-old Mr Kirkpatrick, of Carlisle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Porter spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and to say that he could hear proceedings clearly when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning for a preliminary hearing in front of Judge Simon Medland QC. Porter appeared remotely over a video link.
Francis McEntee was present for the prosecution and Liam Walker represented Porter.
No pleas were entered by Porter to any of the charges during a 10-minute hearing.
Discussions were held about the selection of a date for a trial in front of a jury and High Court judge. It is estimated this could take up to three weeks.
But Porter was told by Judge Medland as he adjourned today’s hearing that it was not possible to fix a precise date for the trial at this stage.
Porter was remanded in custody by the judge and will return to the crown court on a future date.
- A second man wanted by police investigating Mr Kirkpatrick’s death — 29-year-old Kane Hull, of Bower Street, Carlisle — is due to appear in court in the city later this month.
