The son of Edinburgh woman Louise Tiffney has denied murdering his mother and dumping her body in woodlands.
Sean Flynn is accused of killing the 43-year-old at her flat in Dean Path - or at another location unknown to prosecutors - on either May 27 or 28 in 2002.
The 37-year-old has been charged with injuring her by means unknown and is said to have put her in the boot of his car.
Flynn, whose address was given as Berlin in Germany, then allegedly drove her to the stately home Gosford House in East Lothian and disposed of her body.
He is also accused of cleaning the boot of a Nissan Almera on the same day, in an attempt to conceal his mother’s alleged murder, prevent the cause of her death being ascertained, hinder the police investigation, and hide and destroy evidence, all in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.
Flynn did not appear at the hearing at the High Court in Glasgow due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
His lawyer, Brian McConnachie QC, said Flynn denies the charges.
Mr McConnachie said a special defence of incrimination is likely to be lodged.
He also said 15 days would be an appropriate length of time for the trial, but Flynn has "reservations" about it taking place in Edinburgh.
Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC said he will in due course invite the court to hold the trial in Edinburgh for several reasons, including that it is an Edinburgh case with witnesses from the city and "travelling in the current state is to be discouraged".
He said he does not expect the trial to last more than 15 days.
Judge Lord Arthurson set a further preliminary hearing for March 15.
Mum Louise was last seen leaving her home in the capital's Dean Village on May 27, 2002, and was reported missing soon after.
Her body was discovered by a cyclist in an area off the A198, near the entrance to the luxury property, in April 2017.
