Thomas Cashman is due to go on trial today charged with the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The nine-year-old died after being shot in her own home in Dovecot in summer last year. Cashman, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, denies murdering the schoolgirl.
He has also pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to murder Joseph Nee and wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm against Olivia's mum, Cheryl Korbel, as well as two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life – namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver. The 34-year-old is set to face a jury at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court on Monday, with his trial scheduled to last for four weeks.
READ MORE: Police investigating kidnapping follow trail of blood and find man 'minding' shotgun
Olivia was fatally shot in the chest with a revolver inside her own home on Kingsheath Avenue on the evening of August 22 last year. The gunman had reportedly been chasing after 35-year-old Nee, who was also injured, at the time of the shooting.
Several shots were fired during the incident, with 46-year-old Cheryl having been wounded as well. The ECHO will be reporting live from the courtroom throughout proceedings.
David McLachlan KC will appear for the prosecution, assisted by Henry Riding and Peter Wilson. Cashman will be represented by Professor John Cooper KC, with Katy Appleton as his junior.
READ NEXT: Man let bulldog starve to death after 'forgetting' to feed her
Prison officer in court charged with smuggling drugs into jail
Man called 999 after stabbing friend in the stomach after dinner
WhatsApp revenge porn bully caught with hundreds of pounds of 'Superman' tablets
Dealer told police 'I'm f***ed and I'm going to jail' when they raided his house