An inquest investigating the death of showjumper Katie Simpson “may well” sit with a jury, a coroner has said.
During a pre-inquest review on Tuesday, the court also heard that Ms Simpson’s family had requested the return of her mobile phone from police.
Ms Simpson, 21, who was from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in Altnagelvin hospital almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, on August 3 2020.
The hearing took place at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
Police originally thought she had taken her own life.
It was not until the following year that Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Ms Simpson’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The trial of Creswell, 36, for the murder of Ms Simpson ended in April of last year following his sudden death.
Ms Simpson’s death is now to be examined at an inquest by coroner Joe McCrisken.
A number of members of her family remotely attended a pre-inquest review hearing which took place at Laganside Courthouse on Tuesday.
Counsel for the coroner, Philip Henry told the court that there had been applications from the PSNI, the next-of-kin of Creswell and three women sentenced over lesser offences in relation to the case, for properly interested person (PIP) status in the proceedings.
Mr McCrisken granted PIP status to the police and Creswell’s next-of-kin, but said he wanted to see initial disclosure from the Public Prosecution Service about the three womens’ cases before he made a determination.
A previous hearing was told the makers of a BBC documentary on the case were to be asked if they have material relevant to the inquest.
Last July, a BBC Spotlight programme examined the police investigation into the case.
Updating the court, Mr Henry said: “There has been quite a lot of correspondence with the BBC.
“Where that ends is with us agreeing to postpone pursuing them in the meantime until there is a little bit more definition to the proceedings and then we’ll engage with them again.
“They have volunteered to us the option of discussing it with their local solicitor as well, which is a constructive step.”
Katie Simpson, who was from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in Altnagelvin hospital almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows (Family Handout/PA)
Mr Henry then told the court that “for very understandable reasons” the next-of-kin had requested from the police the return of Ms Simpson’s phone.
He added: “You will be aware these days that phones contain an awful lot of personal items and things that may be of sentimental value.
“The police, because there are live proceedings before you, are inquiring of this court whether or not it could or could not return the phone.”
Mr Henry said it was unclear whether there would be a need for a further examination of the device.
However, he said as the inquest proceedings took shape, the court would be able to take a view on whether the phone could be returned or if it needed to be protected.
He added: “All of the lawyers will be familiar with the fact that an exhibit should be kept in safe storage, untouched, in case it needs to be examined again during the course of the proceedings.
“If that is the case, we will probably be asking the PSNI to safely store it for us.”
Mr McCrisken asked the PSNI to provide a response within 14 days whether it had exhausted all of its steps with the phone.
Concluding the hearing, Mr McCrisken reminded everyone that the proceedings were now active.
He added: “Nothing should be published in breach of the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act which may substantially impede or prejudice the upcoming inquest which may well be held sitting with a jury.”
Another pre-inquest review will take place on April 1.