A trial date of April is earmarked for the man accused of murdering Nicholas Dill on Boxing Day 2004.

The case of Andre Kirk Everett Hypolite was mentioned in the Supreme Court. It was adjourned until February 1 for another update, and the court heard a trial date of April 4 was pencilled in. The murder trial had been due to start in November and then December, but was delayed after lawyers requested more time to ensure all the evidence would be ready and expert witnesses could be booked.

Hypolite, 33, was remanded in custody yesterday. He denied stabbing Mr. Dill to death at his home in Pearman?s Hill, Warwick on December 26, 2004.

Another case at yesterday?s arraignment session involved two alleged American cocaine smugglers.

Tonia Lavette Davis, 34, of New Jersey, and Rhonda Yvette Miller, 32, of Long Beach, California, have denied importing and possession with intent to supply on July 7 in Bermuda. Their case will be heard again on February 1 and the pair were remanded in custody.

A man who has admitted robbing $388 had his sentencing delayed because a report was not before the court.

Jamel Edward Fray, 31, will reappear in court on January 13 when the Bermuda Assessment Referrals Centre (BARC) pre-sentence report is due to have been submitted. Fray was remanded in custody.

South African Lillian Mabolele Ramphele, charged with importing heroin to the Island, will have her case mentioned again on February 1.

The 44-year-old, of Limpopo, was charged with importing, possession and conspiring with others to import heroin into St. George?s on June 30, 2005.

A man accused of growing cannabis plants and then trying to obstruct Police by throwing some plants from a balcony when officers arrived to carry out a property search, pleaded not guilty to four drugs-related charges when he appeared in the Supreme Court.

St. George?s resident Deon Shelden Pitcher, 21, of Chapel of Ease Lane, denies cultivating cannabis plants, possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possession of equipment or apparatus connected with drugs use and of intentionally obstructing a Police officer by trying to leave the premises with a box and throwing cannabis plants over the balcony.

The offences are said to have been committed on June 23 last year.

Pitcher was represented in court by Richard Horseman and was bailed to attend court for mention on February 1.

Also appearing at court during yesterday?s arraignment session was Christine Scott, 29, of Peak Lane, Warwick. She is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Clarke Burgess whilst driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs on June 11.

Scott was also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and having more that 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of her blood on the same day.

Scott, who was also represented by Mr. Horseman, denies all three charges, but pleaded guilty to having no motor car insurance or TCD motor car licence while driving on Glebe Road on June 11 last year.

Scott?s bail was extended and she was instructed to appear at court for mention on March 1.

Jamiko Sinclair Gibbons, 24, of Happy Dale Road, Devonshire, denied two charges of importing cannabis and cocaine and two charges of possessing cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply.

The offences were all alleged to have taken place on September 27, 2003. Gibbons, who was represented by Elizabeth Christopher, had his bail extended for mention on March 1.

Twenty-two other people appeared before Chief Justice Ground for mention.