A relative of a man fatally stabbed at a Boxing Day gathering in suburban Newcastle last year has wept as his alleged killer pleaded not guilty to murder.
Steven O'Brien, 50, died from stab wound to his neck about midnight on December 27, 2019, despite receiving attention from paramedics and hospital staff.
Shaun Garry Johnson, arrested near the scene of the stabbing in Mayfield, faced the NSW Supreme Court on Friday and was asked how he pleaded to a charge of murder.
"Not guilty," the 37-year-old replied.
The plea prompted a family member watching proceedings online to immediately throw her hands to her face and weep.
"He's not raising a partial defence," lawyer Mark Ramsland told the court.
"Put simply, the case is he says he did not commit the offence."
A three-week trial was set for October 5 in Newcastle.
