Two men have denied murdering a man outside Bootle New Strand shopping centre earlier this year.
Joseph Byrne and Jay Byrne both appeared over video link at Liverpool Crown Court this morning after the death of Christopher John Molloy earlier this year.
A 14 year old boy also charged in the case is set to enter his pleas in connection with the case later this month.
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Mr Molloy succumbed to his injuries after being attacked in Bootle in July. Joseph Byrne, 24, Jay Byrne, 26 and the 14 year old boy are all charged with his murder as well as theft. A number of other youths were arrested under suspicion of various offences but were later released under investigation.
At a plea and trial preparation hearing this morning, Gordon Cole KC, prosecuting, said there were still outstanding medical and psychological reports meaning pleas could not be taken from all defendants. He invited the judge, the Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC, to set a further hearing later this month to progress the case.
Judge Menary also invited Joseph Byrne, of Linacre Road, Litherland, and Jay Byrne, of Leyland Road, Southport, to enter pleas and both men pleaded not guilty to both murder and theft. Joseph Byrne also pleaded not guilty to an unrelated and separate set of offences allegedly committed a few weeks before Mr Molloy’s death.
A trial for all three defendants has already been set for early next year. All three are remanded in custody until that point.
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