The trial is scheduled to start at Chelmsford Crown Court today of Ongar man, Paul Groves, who has pleaded not guilty to murder. The case is expected to last two weeks.
At a preliminary hearing in December factory worker, Groves, 34, pleaded not guilty to the murder of William Martindale.
Martindale died after allegedly being struck with a pick-axe handle in an attack at a farm at High Ongar last September. Groves is also accused in connection with an attack on another man, Paul Meeking, at the farm.
At a preliminary hearing in December he denied murdering Mr Martindale, of Cripsey Avenue, Ongar and wounding Mr Meeking.
