Two men have pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Ryan Kirkpatrick in Carlisle last September.
Kane Hull, 29, and 33-year-old Liam Craig Porter, appeared at the city’s crown court remotely, sitting side-by-side over a video link, this morning.
During a 25-minute hearing, both Hull and Porter pleaded not guilty to two charges which allege both the murder of Mr Kirkpatrick, and also manslaughter by the unlawful killing of him.
Mr Kirkpatrick, who lived in Carlisle, died on the evening of Saturday September 18, last year.
Police officers had been called to the city’s Carlyle’s Court, off Fisher Street, at 8.48pm on that date amid reports that a man had been stabbed. Mr Kirkpatrick, aged 24, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of emergency services personnel.
During today’s crown court hearing, Porter, of Fulmar Place, Carlisle, also denied a third charge alleging the assisting of an offender. This alleges that on September 18, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, Porter “assisted and accompanied Kane Hull in leaving the country, with intent to impede” his apprehension or prosecution.
Hull, of no fixed address, and Porter are due to stand trial in front of a High Court judge, on October 5. They spoke only to confirm their names and enter the not guilty pleas. Hull wore a light grey Nike sweatshirt, while Porter was wearing a black and grey North Face jumper.
A timetable for progression of the case was outlined by Tim Evans, for the prosecution, and approved by Judge Simon Medland QC.
A pre-trial hearing was provisionally set for September 7. It is presently estimated the trial will last around four weeks, although the court heard more people could face charges, allegedly of “assisting an offender”, in connection with the investigation.
In the meantime, Hull and Porter were remanded in custody. They were reminded to co-operate with their legal teams with the preparation of statements setting out their respective defences to the charges and the issues they take prosecution case.
