The preliminary inquiry has begun for three people charged with first-degree murder in Conception Bay North.

Thirty-four-year-old Terry Cole, 41-year-old Matthew Kavanagh and 28-year-old Stephanie Noftall are accused of planning the killing of a 42-year-old man in Bay Roberts last fall.

The remains of the Spaniard’s Bay man were found September 30th in a pickup that had been set on fire and left to burn on Country Road, prompting the additional charge of indecently interfering with a body.

All three accused were present this morning for the start of the preliminary inquiry, set for eight days in Harbour Grace provincial court, during which all of the evidence will be presented before a judge to determine if there’s enough of it to warrant a trial.

All evidence at a preliminary inquiry is banned from publication.

Kavanagh is free on conditions, while Cole and Noftall remain in custody, and face additional, unrelated charges of theft, impaired driving, dangerous driving, flight from police, and possessing property obtained by crime.