Inmate Charged with Murder Appears in Court
A prison inmate charged with the murder of Soham killer Ian Huntley has made his first appearance at Crown Court.
Anthony Russell, aged 43, appeared via video link from HMP Frankland at Teeside Crown Court on Thursday.
During the hearing, Russell was not required to enter a plea but was informed that a pre-trial preparation hearing is scheduled for 24 April at Newcastle Crown Court.
Details of the Attack and Victim
Huntley, 52, was hospitalized following an attack at the prison on 26 February and died nine days later.
He had been serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
Court Proceedings and Trial Information
The preliminary hearing, which lasted approximately 10 minutes before Judge Francis Laird KC, involved Russell confirming his name and date of birth.
The court was informed that the trial could extend up to five days.
Official Statements and Previous Incidents
The Ministry of Justice has previously commented on Huntley's case, stating:
"Huntley's crime remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation's history, and our thoughts are with their families".
The February attack was not the first time Huntley had been targeted while incarcerated.
In 2005, he was assaulted by an inmate who threw boiling water on him at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.
Five years later, at HMP Frankland, Huntley was slashed across the throat and required 21 stitches.
