A young St. John’s man has formally pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

Twenty-three-year-old Robert Belbin entered the plea yesterday during formal arraignment in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court.

It sets the stage for a trial by judge and jury late next year.

Police responded to Mayor Avenue, just south of Empire Avenue, on Feb. 7, 2023 after reports of a man in distress due to a suspected stabbing.

They arrived to find 22-year-old Seamus Secord with serious injuries; he was rushed to hospital but died a short time afterward.

Ten days later, Belbin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and breach of probation.

It’s alleged he killed Secord while out on bail after being charged with a string of shootings in the metro area.

Belbin remains in custody at HMP while awaiting two separate trials on the gun charges in provincial court.

The precise dates for the murder trial in Supreme Court will be set during the next arraignment in January.