The trial of a man charged with murder will not be heard until January next year.
James Carbott, 30, of Epping Green, Hemel Hempstead, is accused of killing 63-year-old Thomas Baird of Westerdale, in the town.
Mr Baird’s body was found in his burning Highfield bungalow on Saturday, March 2 this year. A post-mortem examination showed he died from head and neck injuries and stab wounds to the chest.
At St Albans Crown Court today (Thursday), defence barrister Will Noble asked for the case to be taken out of the list for July 22 so that a psychiatric report could be prepared on Mr Carbott.
Judge Andrew Bright agreed and fixed the new trial date for January 6.
The defendant was remanded in custody.
