A 22-year-old man today denied plotting to murder a man shot dead in a north Belfast flat as he slept beside his girlfriend.
Mr David Martin Somers, unemployed and of no fixed abode, was charged at Belfast Magistrates Court with conspiring to murder Mr David Barnes between November 1st, 2002, and March 8th, 2003.
The court heard that when charged by police he replied: "Definitely not guilty".
Catholic David Barnes (39) was shot dead as he slept in the early hours of March 8th.
It is believed at least two men broke into a flat at Brookvale Avenue and shot him twice in the head at close range as he slept beside his girlfriend.
Four other people have previously appeared in court charged in connection with the murder.
Mr Louis Maguire (37) of Newtownards, Co Down was charged with the murder last month. His wife Elaine (31) a 16-year-old boy and Daniel McGeough (49) of Laurencestown, Co Armagh, were charged with conspiracy to murder.
Mr McGeough was also charged with inciting Maguire to murder his wife on June 8th.
Mr Somers was remanded in custody to appear by video link on July 10th, the same date as the other defendants.
A detective sergeant told the court during cross examination by the defendant's solicitor that Mr Somers had first been questioned about the killing in early May and released without charge.
He said new evidence included CCTV footage of the defendant and recorded conversations.
He agreed there was no forensic evidence against Mr Somers or any witness putting him at the scene of the murder.
PA