A man charged with murder over a death in a Coalfields backyard more than two years ago is set to fight the accusation in the Supreme Court.
Joshua Walker Smith was charged last July over the death of 36-year-old Ewan Sams, who was allegedly killed out the back of a home on the corner of Edith and Chidgey streets at Cessnock late on the night of September 25, 2018.
The Newcastle Herald reported at the time that Mr Sams was struck by a four-wheel-drive and died of his injuries.
NSW Police set up Strike Force Lirki to investigate Mr Sams' death.
Mr Smith was arrested outside Cessnock courthouse, where he was facing a string of unrelated theft charges.
He has remained in custody since then.
In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, Magistrate Les Brennan committed Mr Smith's murder charge to the Supreme Court for trial.
He is expected to be arraigned on June 4.
Meanwhile, one count of supplying a prohibited drug less than the indictable amount was sent to the District Court for sentencing - that matter will be next mentioned on May 27.
Three charges of supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis were withdrawn.
