Murder victim Katie Simpson
At first it was believed she had been a suicide victim at a house in Gortnessy Meadows of Derry but further enquiries established that she had in fact been murdered.
Ms Simpson subsequently died at Altnagelvin Hospital on August 9, 2020.
Jonathan Cresswell, (34), of Briar Hill Gardens in Greysteel, Co Derry, faces a charge of murdering Kate Simpson.
At Derry Magistrates’ Court today, the prosecution said papers were now being compiled to allow the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
The PE will decide whether the case should proceed to the Crown Court.
He said it was a “complicated case” but the prosecution was in a position to fix a date for the preliminary enquiry for the end of February.
A date was set for February 23, 2023. for the holding of the PE.
Murder victim Katie Simpson
In July last year, Cresswell was released on £30,000 bail by a High Court judge despite objections to his release by the prosecution.
The accused was banned from attending any equestrian events or selling horse stock, cannot enter Co Armagh and must have no contact with any witnesses in the case.