The man accused of murdering a woman at a care home in Walton-on-the-Naze could face a trial in July.
Ronald King, 86, has been charged with killing Rita King, 81, at De La Mer House in Naze Park Road on Monday.
King, of Cedar Close, Walton, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court via a video link from HMP Chelmsford this morning for a preliminary hearing.
Asked if he could hear proceedings, he told the court clerk: “Yes dear.”
At one point he asked to address the judge directly and thanked the court for its time.
His barrister Patrick Upward QC told the court he would not be making a bail application on behalf of his client.
Prosecutor Richard Stevens requested seven weeks to prepare papers in the case.
Judge Charles Gratwicke ordered a plea and case management hearing to take place on March 3.
He set a provisional trial date of July 4.
Mrs King is understood to have been suffering from dementia.
A post-mortem examination on Tuesday morning found the provisional cause of her death was a gunshot wound to the head.
Essex Police said the bullet came from what is a believed to be a 1934 Enfield revolver which was recovered at the scene.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here