THE trial of a man accused of killing a Halesowen widow will now be held at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
It had been thought Leo Barnes, aged 32, of Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath, would stand trial at Birmingham Crown Court on January 15.
But the trial - expected to last for over three weeks - has now been switched back to Wolverhampton and it will be held in front of a High Court Judge.
Barnes has pleaded not guilty to murdering 80-year-old Cynthia Beamond at her semi-detached home in Juliet Road, Howley Grange, on June 27.
The body of the pensioner was found hidden her garage after she was reported missing by family members.
A post mortem revealed she died from head injuries.
Barnes has also denied murdering 67-year-old Philip Silverstone on June 28, who was found dead with stab wounds at his flat in Belsize Park, London.
Judge John Warner remanded Barnes in custody when he appeared before Wolverhampton Crown Court for a short case management hearing.
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