iStockA suspect will stand trial charged with knifing a man to death.
Jonathon Bell, 35, allegedly murdered James Johnstone at a house in Bo’ness last April 17.
It is claimed he did repeatedly strike the 39-year-old on the head and body with a knife.
Bell faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is claimed he took the knife from the alleged murder scene, damaged it and then tried to hide the broken pieces in the garden of another property.
Thomas Ross QC, defending, told a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow: “He pleads not guilty. There is a special defence of self-defence.”
Both he and prosecutor Lisa Gillespie QC agreed a trial could be fixed.
Lady Stacey set a trial due to begin on August 8 in Edinburgh.
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