Police ScotlandA man is to stand trial accused of murdering his two-year-old son by shooting and smothering him.
Lukasz Czapla allegedly killed Julius Czapla at a flat in Muirhouse, Edinburgh last November.
It is claimed the 41-year-old repeatedly struck the child with a skewer and shot him in the head while repeatedly discharging an air rifle.
Prosecutors also allege that Czapla placed a pillow over the boy’s face and did “asphyxiate” him.
The court also heard he had previously displayed “malice and ill will” towards his son.
His QC Iain McSporran offered to plead guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.
But, this was rejected by prosecutor Alan Parfery during the hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Czapla will now stand trial for murder in Edinburgh on April 19 next year.
Among the other charges, he is also accused of possessing drugs – including ecstasy – with separate accusations of drink and dangerous driving as well as having an air weapon.
The trial could last up to seven days
Judge Lady Stacey set a further hearing due to occur before then in March next year.
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