Date fixed for trial of man accused of murder at flat near to Royal Armouries in Leeds

A man will go on trial next week accused of murder over the discovery of a body at his flat near to the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
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James Thomas Macken will go on trial at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (February 23) over the death of 32-year-old Daniel Jeffrey.

Mr Jeffrey was found dead at Macken's flat on Balmoral Place, Bowman Lane, on Monday April 13 last year.

Macken, 53, pleads not guilty to the murder charge.

Daniel Jeffrey was found dead at flat on Bowman Lane, near to Leeds city centre, in April last year.Daniel Jeffrey was found dead at flat on Bowman Lane, near to Leeds city centre, in April last year.
Daniel Jeffrey was found dead at flat on Bowman Lane, near to Leeds city centre, in April last year.
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The date for the hearing was confirmed at a pre-trial hearing yesterday (February 17)..

The trial is expected to last six days.

Arrangements were made at the hearing for counsel in the case to be able to access the courtroom and the robing room safely within the building to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines.

Macken was due to go on trial last November but the case had to be adjourned for reasons relating to the pandemic.

Macken did not attend yesterday's hearing and remains in custody,

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A man was initially arrested on suspicion of selling drugs following the discovery of Mr Jeffrey's body and was later released on bail.

West Yorkshire Police were called to the flat by the ambulance service at about 3.45pm on April 13.

An investigation was launched as the death was treated as unexplained.