Defence counsel for Mr Trevor McKeown, who is accused of a sectarian killing, called yesterday for his Belfast Crown Court trial to be stopped. Mr McKeown is accused of the killing of Ms Bernie Martin, who was shot dead in her boyfriend's bedroom.
Defence counsel Mr Eugene Grant QC claimed there was a gap in the prosecution case against Mr McKeown, of Coronation Gardens, Aghalee, Co Antrim, which "fits the truly guilty", those who implicated him in the July 1997 killing of Ms Martin (18).
He said two neighbours of Mr McKeown had both motive and opportunity to carry out the shooting, but more importantly they led the blame to Mr McKeown because the RUC suspected them of involvement in the crime.
Prosecutor Mr Patrick Lynch claimed there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest the two men were the killers, but there was circumstantial evidence pointing to Mr McKeown as the murderer.
Lord Justice McCollum said he wished to review the evidence before ruling on the defence application and would give his decision this morning.