Connor Chapman has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elle Edwards.
The 26-year-old beautician died after being shot outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Wirral, on Christmas Eve last year. Merseyside Police previously stated she is not believed to have been the intended target of the shooting, with four men also injured during the incident.
Chapman, of Houghton Road in Woodchurch, was charged with Ms Edwards' murder in January. The 23-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court via video link to HMP Manchester this morning, Thursday, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
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He denied the murder charge and counts of attempting to murder Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy. Similarly, Chapman entered not guilty pleas to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent against Harry Loughran, Jake Speed and Liam Carr and counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life - namely a Skorpion submachine gun and 9mm short 0.380 auto/acp calibre ammunition.
A further charge of handling stolen goods, stating that he was in possession of a stolen 19-plate Mercedes A-Class between December 22 and Boxing Day last year, was also denied. Also appearing from HMP Altcourse was 20-year-old Thomas Waring, of Private Drive in Barnston, who pleaded not guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender in connection with Ms Edwards' death.
A trial has been scheduled for June 12 this year before Justice Julian Goose and is due to last three to four weeks. The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC remanded both men into custody until this date.
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