The man accused of murdering convicted sex offender Robert Hind has refused to leave his cell for the third time to attend a court hearing.
Mitchell was expected to appear yesterday over a video link from HMP Leeds for a preliminary hearing at Leeds Crown Court.
But his lawyer Rob Casey told the judge his client had refused again.
Mitchell, 46 of Manchester Road, Cowlersley, Huddersfield, is charged with the murder of Robert Hind, 47, on December 11.
His case was mentioned in his absence before Huddersfield magistrates in December when he would not come out of his cell.
The story was repeated when he was due to appear at the Crown Court later in the month so a bail application could be made if required but none was made.
He was then remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing yesterday.
Mr Casey told the court in the interim period he had seen Mitchell for a conference in prison and he had indicated his reason for not leaving the cell for the previous crown court hearing was that since it was only for the bail mention there was no point in attending.
“I told him about today’s hearing and fully anticipated he would appear but I understand he has refused again.”
A plea and case management hearing was arranged for February 26 and the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC ordered Mitchell to be produced at court. “You can indicate to him it will be a meaningful hearing,” he said.
He said he was currently not in a position to fix a final trial date, the date and venue would be set at the next hearing.
Mitchell was initially arrested in connection with a missing person investigation for Hind.
An area of footpath alongside Huddersfield Narrow Canal off Shaw Lane in Milnsbridge was subsequently cordoned off and human remains found during a police underwater search.
