Three of those accused in the murder of a 42-year-old whose body was found in a burned-out pickup in Bay Roberts appeared in court this morning.

Thirty-four-year-old Terry Cole, 41-year-old Matthew Kavanagh and 28-year-old Stephanie Noftall are charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 42-year-old Michael Fillier in Bay Roberts last fall.

The remains of the Spaniard’s Bay man were found in a pickup that had been torched and left to burn on Country Road, leading to an additional charge of interfering with human remains.

All three accused entered not guilty pleas this morning and elected trial by judge and jury, set to start in October of next year. A number of applications are expected between now and then, with two dozen Mounties and other witnesses due to testify.

Kavanagh is free on conditions while Noftall and Cole remain in custody.