Man accused of Greenock murder claims self defence
Kyle McAuley, 29, is alleged to have repeatedly struck Kevin McCluskey on the head with a dumbbell at a flat in Nelson Street, Greenock, on March 24 and murdered him.
A man has appeared at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murdering a 28-year-old dad and then sending a photograph of his dead body to three women.
Kyle McAuley, 29, is alleged to have repeatedly struck Kevin McCluskey on the head with a dumbbell at a flat in Nelson Street, Greenock, on March 24 and murdered him.
McAuley denies this and has lodged a special defence of self defence.
He is also charged with behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by sending a post-mortem of Kevin to a woman and her daughter and another woman.
It is also alleged that McAuley moved Kevin's body from the bedroom to the entrance of the flat in Nelson Street and placed a knife onthe floor near to the body in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.
McAuley from Greenock, who was represented by defence QC Thomas Ross, pled not guilty to all charges.
Judge Lady Scott set a trial date for December.
Prosecutor Duncan McPhie (correct) said: “The trial is expected to last eight days.