He is charged with the unlawful killing of Anthony Miskimmon in Antrim on November 6, 2024
A man today denied the manslaughter of a pensioner in Co Antrim last year.
Marcus Fleming, 22, of Cedarmount in Antrim, appeared at Belfast Crown Court from custody to be formally arraigned on three charges he faced.
When the court clerk put the charge of unlawfully killing Anthony Miskimmon on November 6, 2024, Fleming replied: “Not guilty.”
He entered guilty pleas to two charges of criminal damage to police vehicles on November 2 and November 3, 2024.
Police at the time said that shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday November 2, Mr Miskimmon, aged 74, was approached in the Station Road area of Antrim by a male and female and was punched to the head by the male, knocking him unconscious.
Mr Miskimmon was taken to hospital for treatment for serious head injuries. He passed away on November 6.
Defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna said the case is currently tied in with the ongoing dispute by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) over legal aid.
A prosecution barrister told Madam Justice McBride that he had taken advice from the CBA and that the arraignment could proceed with the defendant represented by his solicitor.
Mr McKenna said that while no counsel had been instructed for the defendant he had been gathering up medical reports in relation to the manslaughter charge.
“We also have a preliminary psychologist’s report and I have requested an update to that in light of papers served on us by the prosecution,” said Mr McKenna.
“It was hoped the psychologist could see the defendant in person but he is going to work around that by conducting a Zoom meeting.”
Due to the ongoing criminal barrister’s dispute no trial date was set and Madam Justice McBride adjourned the case until November 28, 2025 for review.
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