Husband and wife fight attempt to resurrect murder charge

A husband and wife are to fight new attempts to have them stand trial for the killing of a man shot dead in Belfast, it emerged on Wednesday.

Prosecutors have resurrected murder charges against Charles and Julie-Ann Valliday over the fatal gun attack on Christopher Mackin in March 2012.

A hearing was due to take place at Belfast Magistrates’ Court to determine whether the couple have a case to answer, but defence lawyers instead argued that there is no jurisdiction for the preliminary enquiry to take place.

They contend that no new evidence has emerged since the case was dropped back in September 2013.

At that stage the Public Prosecution Service said it intended to recommence proceedings.

Charles Valliday, 43, and his 38-year-old wife Julie-Ann, originally from Powerscourt Place, Belfast but now with an address in Antrim, both attended court by PPS summonses. They are jointly charged with the murder of 31-year-old Mr Mackin, possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, and drugs offences.

The victim was shot up to seven times at College Square North in the city. Charles Valliday's brother James, 49, of Springfield Meadows in Belfast, faces a charge of assisting offenders in connection with events after the attack.

Following confirmation of opposition to the new bid to prosecute all three accused, District Judge Fiona Bagnall adjourned proceedings. She re-listed the case for a further hearing in four weeks' time to fix a date for legal arguments on the issue.