Evidence delay over US honeymooner on murder bid charges
are still awaiting “quite a lot of evidence” in the case of an American man accused of attempting to murder three men in Co Antrim while on honeymoon, a court has heard.
Nicholas Keith Warner (31) from Summerville in South Carolina had his bail varied last month to allow him to return home.
Last month at Ballymena Magistrates Court, District Judge Nigel Broderick said he could vary bail, but that Warner could only leave once £4,000 had been lodged.
Warner was also told to surrender his passport when he returned to the US.
At the latest hearing in connection with the case in Ballymena yesterday, a defence lawyer said his client, who is an eleces trical engineer, is now back in America and was excused from having to attend court.
Warner was charged after three men, one aged in his 60s and the others in their 30s, were stabbed in a disturbance outside a bar in Ballycarry on August 11.
The accused faces six charges, including three of attempted murder, possessing a knife, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and causing affray.
At a previous court hearing, a lawyer for Warner said while his client admits having a knife, he will argue he acted in self-defence after being attacked.
At yesterday’s court a prosecution lawyer said there was “quite a lot of evidence outstanding” in the case, including 999 and interview transcripts.
Medical notes regarding Mr Warner, who previously appeared at court using crutchPROSECUTORS after suffering a broken leg in the Ballycarry incident, have also still to be received by prosecutors.
The case was adjourned to late November and District Judge Broderick said the accused did not need to attend on that date.
A previous court heard there was an incident inside the bar, with Warner and his wife leaving by the front door while the three complainants left by a rear door.
When a barman went to retrieve the couple’s hire car, CCTV footage showed the men running after it, Warner going to ground and one male circling him while kicking at his head.
The court heard the footage also showed Warner getting up and stumbling away pursued by a group of men, and the police officer confirmed the defendant’s own phone had been used to contact the emergency services.
Nicholas Warner and wife Kaylee at a previous hearing