The prosecution case against an alleged double killer is “being expedited” as fast as possible, a lawyer claimed on Friday.
South Belfast man Albert Armstrong appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court via videolink for the short mention of his case.
The 46-year-old, from Mahee Close in the Belvoir estate, Belfast, is in custody accused of the murders of his friends Colin "Bap" Lindsay (47), a former UDA commander, and Stanley Wightman.
Mr Armstrong had initially been charged with attempting to murder 52-year-old Mr Wightman, but within hours of the alleged killer’s first court appearance on July 10th, the latter succumbed to his injuries.
“Bap” Lindsay was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime on July 8th.
It was reported that the three men were together in Mr Lindsay’s home at Kirkistown Walk, also in the Belvoir estate, when Mr Armstrong allegedly attacked the others with a Samurai-type sword owned by the former UDA chief.
Both of the victims had reportedly suffered grievous injuries.
The bloody scene was discovered when police were called to another property in the area, believed to be Mr Armstrong’s home, shortly before 8pm on July 8th.
Sword recovered
Mr Armstrong was arrested and a bloodstained samurai-type sword was recovered from a blue Mazda 6 nearby.
Speaking at the time, senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp Richard Campbell said he believed the sword recovered near the scene of the killing was "likely... the weapon that was used in the attack".
He said Mr Lindsay had "suffered a very brutal death".
“As a result of information received at the first property, officers then forced entry to a house at Kirkistown Walk, also on the Belvoir estate, and found two men seriously injured in the living room,” the officer said.
"An ambulance was called, but one of the men, 47-year-old Colin Lindsay, who resided at the property, was pronounced dead.
‘Serious condition’
“The other man, 52-year-old Stanley Wightman, was in a serious condition.
"He has significant injuries to his neck and arm," said DCI Campbell who described the attack as "extremely violent".
“We are following a number of lines of enquiry, but at the same time are keeping an open mind on what happened and why it happened.”
On Friday, a prosecuting lawyer asked for the case to he adjourned for a further four weeks as the “file has yet to reach the PPS”, but assured the court “matters are being expedited” as the case would be going on indictment to the Crown Court.
Remanding Mr Armstrong back into custody, District Judge Paul Copeland told the alleged killer his case was being "pressed on" and ordered him to appear again via videolink on September 11th.