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Doctor for murder charge dentist Doctor for murder charge dentist
(20 minutes later)
A dentist accused of murdering his wife and his ex-lover's husband is to be assessed by a psychiatrist. A dentist accused of murdering his wife and his ex-lover's husband 18 years ago is to be assessed by a psychiatrist.
This is to decide if Colin Howell is fit to face further questioning by investigating officers. The expert will decide if Colin Howell is fit to face further questioning by investigating officers.
Mr Howell had been due back in court but his appearance was cancelled last week after he was admitted to hospital at Maghaberry prison.Mr Howell had been due back in court but his appearance was cancelled last week after he was admitted to hospital at Maghaberry prison.
He is said to be suffering from severe stress and depression, and to be under close medical supervision.He is said to be suffering from severe stress and depression, and to be under close medical supervision.
The 50-year-old, from Sea Road in Castlerock, is accused of murdering his wife Lesley and RUC officer Trevor Buchanan. The dentist appeared by video-link at North Antrim Magistrates' Court in Coleraine from Maghaberry on Monday morning. He had lost considerable weight since his arrest.
He is also charged with drugging and indecently assaulting women. Mr Howell has been in custody since January. He looked gaunt and tense and spoke just twice - once to confirm his name and then to acknowledge that he understood the court's decision to remand him in custody again until June 15.
Suicide
At the time of their deaths in May 1991, it was thought Mrs Lesley Howell and Constable Trevor Buchanan had died in an apparent suicide pact.
Their bodies were found in a car in a garage at the rear of a house once owned by Mrs Howell's father, retired company director Henry Clarke, who died suddenly just days earlier.
Mr Howell, who has been in custody since January, is also charged with drugging and indecently assaulting women.
Trevor Buchanan's former wife, Hazel Stewart, 45, from Coleraine, is also charged with the double murders.Trevor Buchanan's former wife, Hazel Stewart, 45, from Coleraine, is also charged with the double murders.