Michael O’Neill & James Ward deny murdering Kirk Marsden. Thomas Ward seeks charge dismissal in Blackburn case.
O’Neill is 35 and from Blackburn. Ward, 26, has no fixed address. Both pleaded not guilty via video. Thomas Ward, 58, is also involved.
Thomas Ward’s lawyer wants his charge dropped. His case is different, and a special judge from the King’s Bench Division will decide his fate.
They will schedule a hearing date to handle Thomas Ward’s dismissal request. If denied, they will schedule another plea hearing. June 16 is the trial date.
The trial should last two to three weeks. An earlier review is set for April 11. The judge warned about missing court dates, explaining that it’s a crime with jail time.
The judge discussed trial attendance explaining that defendants can testify at trial. If they skip the trial, it can continue and lawyers can then choose to leave or stay.
All three men will stay in custody, awaiting the next hearing in court. Police said Marsden was hit by a car outside a Blackburn bar on Christmas Day.
A Toyota Land Cruiser struck Marsden. He later died in the hospital. The Royal Preston Hospital treated him, but he died on Boxing Day.