A dentist accused of murdering his wife and his ex-lover’s husband is to be assessed by a psychiatrist in a fortnight’s time to decide if he is fit to face new questioning by investigating police, a court heard today.
Doctor Colin Howell (50) was due in the dock at North Antrim Magistrates’ Court in Coleraine, Co Derry, but his appearance was cancelled last week after he was admitted to the prison hospital at Maghaberry, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, where he is suffering severe stress and depression and is under close medical supervision.
Dr Howell, from Castlerock, Co Derry, has been in custody since the end of January, charged with the murders of his wife Lesley (31) and Constable Trevor Buchanan (32) whose bodies were found in a car filled with carbon monoxide fumes in the seaside town 18 years ago.
His ex-lover, Mrs Hazel Stewart (45) who is also facing the double murder charge, was granted continuing bail today and she is due back in court again on July 20th.
Dr Howell’s solicitor Mr Adrian Harvey told the district judge Richard Wilson that his client was in the prison hospital where he had been assessed by Doctor Helen Harbinson, a consultant psychiatrist.
He added: “His case is to be reviewed again on June 1st to see if he is fit to be interviewed by police in relation to other matters.”
PA