The man accused of killing the Indian student Anuj Bidve in a suspected racially motivated attack in Salford, Manchester, on Boxing Day was on Tuesday remanded in custody until March with June 25, 2012 set as a provisional date for his trial.
Kiaran Stapleton (20), who insisted on calling himself “Psycho Satpleton”, appeared before the Manchester Crown Court through a videolink, a day after he was charged with Bidve’s murder which has caused outrage both in the U.K. and in India.
Mr. Stapleton, dressed in a grey sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his name. He was sent to police custody until March 20, 2012 when he is expected to enter a plea.
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Police said they had sufficient evidence to secure his conviction.
Bidve’s body is expected to be released after a second post-mortem requested by defence lawyers. His family members are due to arrive in the U.K. with a team of Manchester police officers who are in India.
Meanwhile, several hundred people gathered in Salford on Monday evening for a candle-light memorial service for Bidve. Hindu scriptures were recited as flowers and messages piled up at the spot in Orsdall Lane where Bidve was killed as he and a group of friends were walking through the area.
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Vikrant Gupta, who organised the vigil, praised the local people for their support.
“A lot people have turned out and mainly the local community has come out and they're showing their support,” he said.