WALTHAM FOREST: Café murder trial put on hold (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Café murder trial put on hold

2:38pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

THE trial of a man accused of stabbing a father to death in front of his family has been adjourned for 12 weeks.

Matthew Quesada, 25, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday (February 6) accused of killing 63-year-old Alan Smith in March last year.

Mr Smith was sitting with relatives in the Roma Café in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, when he was attacked.

A number of preliminary hearings have been held over the last few days but today (Thursday February 9) the case was put on hold for administrative reasons.

It is scheduled to resume on May 8.

Two co-defendants are also being tried alongside Mr Quesada.

Maria Briggette, 26, of Hibbert Road in Walthamstow, and Victoria Passley-Quesada, 54, of Lower Barn Road in Purley, Croydon, both deny assisting an offender.

They were released on bail while homeless Mr Quesada, who denies murder, was remanded in custody.

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