A man charged with murder was applauded by an Ulster Defence Association chief today as he appeared at a court in Belfast.
Mr Jim Gray, the East Belfast commander of the loyalist paramilitary organisation got to his feet as 39-year-old Mr William James Murphy was led from the dock in the city's magistrates court.
The unemployed man from King's Road in the east of the city is charged with the murder of Arthur Berryman (46) on Halloween night last year.
Mr Berryman was stabbed to death in front of his wife by a masked man when she answered a knock at the door of their Imperial Street home in East Belfast on October 31st, 2001.
The court heard today that when charged with murder, Mr Murphy replied: "Definitely not guilty".
However a detective chief inspector told the court he believed he could connect the accused with the charges.
Under questioning by a defence lawyer, the officer said Mr Murphy had co-operated fully with police during 60 hours of interviews and had made no admission of guilt.
He also said there was no forensic evidence against the defendant and the case was based on the statement of one witness.
The man was remanded in custody to appear again at court by a video-link on December 13th.
A 21-year-old woman also appeared in court charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by providing a false alibi for Mr Murphy on the day of the murder.
Ms Leanne Alison Anderson from Melfort Drive in Tullycarnet was released on bail to appear at court again on January 10th next year.
No details were given in court about Miss Anderson's response when charged.
As the two accused left the dock they were applauded by a large group of supporters including Mr Gray.
PA