Man to stand trial accused of killing girlfriend
Keith Rizzo allegedly choked and stabbed 23-year-old Neomi Smith to death at a flat in Brechin on June 9 this year
An Angus man will stand trial accused of murdering his girlfriend at a flat in Brechin.
It's alleged Keith Rizzo choked and stabbed Neomi Smith to death on June 9 this year.
The 23-year-old pleaded not guilty at the High Court in Glasgow - the trial's due to begin in February 2020.
It is claimed he initially forced entry to the property and compressed Miss Smith's neck restricting her breathing.
Rizzo, of Brechin, is then said to have repeatedly struck the 23 year-old care worker on the head and body with knives.
Rizzo faces a separate charge of assaulting Miss Smith, of Aberdeen, to her injury and danger of life between May 5 and June 8 2019.
Prosecutors claim this happened at her flat and Hudson's Bar in Brechin.
The charge includes accusations Rizzo hit Miss Smith's head off a wall, punched her and caused her to lose consciousness by again compressing her neck.
He is further charged with threatening and abusive behaviour against Miss Smith.
Rizzo also faces allegations involving four other women – three described on the indictment as his “ex-partner”.
These accusations span between December 2014 and May 2019.
The charges include claims he assaulted three of them and behaved in a threatening manner towards the other.
Rizzo is finally accused of resisting arrest.
He today/yesterday pled not guilty to the charges at the High Court in Glasgow.
Members of Miss Smith's family were also at the short hearing.
Both Rizzo's QC Donald Findlay and prosecutor Duncan McPhie said they were ready for a trial to be set.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC fixed a trial due to begin next February.
The case could last around eight days.
Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.