Man charged with murder of Soham killer Ian Huntley appears in court
Defendant, Anthony Russell, will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court in April
43 year old Anthony Russell has appeared in court charged with the murder of Ian Huntley, who was attacked with a metal bar in HMP Frankland, near Durham.
Russell appeared at Teesside Crown via videolink for a preliminary 10-minute hearing.
The alleged attack on 52-year-old Huntley occurred on 26th February in the workshop area of the maximum-security prison.
Huntley subsequently died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Durham Constabulary made the announcement on Tuesday regarding Russell's murder charge.
During Thursday’s court hearing, Russell confirmed his identity but did not enter a plea.
Judge Francis Laird KC scheduled a pre-trial preparation hearing for 24th April at Newcastle Crown Court.
The judge indicated that Russell could attend the next hearing remotely, although his legal team may request his physical presence in court.
Huntley was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for the 2002 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire.
His partner at the time, Maxine Carr, was convicted for providing a false alibi and served 21 months in prison.
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