A Belfast man has denied involvement in the alleged gangland murder of Shane Whitla.
Mr Whitla was shot in an alleyway in the Woodville Street area of Lurgan, Co Armagh, on January 12 2023.
Police believe the victim was lured there by a telephone call and he had been threatened by a crime gang known as ‘The Firm’ the night before his murder over an alleged drug debt.
Appearing in the dock on Friday at Belfast Crown Court was Joshua Adam Cotter (31), of Glenalina Road in the west of the city.
During a short arraignment hearing, Cotter entered not guilty pleas to murdering the 39-year-old and also possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
The arraignment of Jake Joseph O’Brien (30), formerly of Church Walk, Lurgan, who faces the same two charges, was adjourned at the request of his defence team who said they were considering mounting a ‘no bill’ application.
Cotter’s defence counsel John Kearney KC told Mr Justice O’Hara that there were “eight or nine areas of the prosecution papers which would require expert witness evidence such as DNA, CDR (cartridge discharge residue), cell site analysis, telephone and so on”.
With no trial date being set, Mr Justice O’Hara said he would review the case on September 20.
There were originally three people charged with Mr Whitla’s murder.
Kevin Conway (26), from Deeny Walk in Lurgan, was shot dead at a bail address in the Greenan area of Andersonstown, west Belfast, on January 9 2024.