Cardigan Road Stabbing: Leeds murder accused could stand trial in March next year
A homeless man accused of stabbing a 26-year-old to death in Headingley could stand trial in March.
Eljon Markaj made his first appearance at Leeds Crown Court this morning, but was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of murder.
It comes after the body of Elsiado Marku was found on Cardigan Road on Friday.
Markaj, of no fixed address, appeared for the short hearing over a video link from HMP Leeds where is being held on remand.
The 31-year-old did not speak but was assisted by an Albanian interpreter.
He was remanded back into custody and is due to appear again on October 1, where he will be expected to enter a plea.
Should he plead not guilty, a preliminary trial date has been set for March 9 next year. If it goes ahead, it is expected to last five days.
Police were called to Cardigan Road, Headingley, shortly before 4.30pm on Friday, August 29 to reports that a man had been stabbed.
Mr Marku was found and pronounced dead at the scene.
Forensic officers were seen outside the property in the hours after the discovery and a scene-of-crime tent was erected.
Meanwhile, Markaj, whose ethnicity is defined as white, south European, has also been charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
Anyone with information on the incident can be passed to the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via the 101 LiveChat online or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13250496130.
- This information has been provided by police as forces have been encouraged to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in certain cases. The interim guidance from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) aims to reduce the risk to public safety where there are high levels of misinformation about an incident.