Craig Yorke, 28, died from stab wounds at the scene of the alleged incident in High Street, Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, in the early hours of Saturday, December 14.
Connor Vint, 18, and two youths, aged 17 and 16, were arrested later that day on suspicion of murder while Harry Brown, 18, and 20-year-old Marley Roles, were arrested four days later, also on suspicion of murder.
All five accused have since appeared in court on Monday and have been remanded in custody and/or youth custody.
(Image: Durham Constabulary/The Northern Echo) A trial date, starting on Wednesday, June 4, was provisionally set at a hearing before Newcastle Crown Court last year.
All five accused appeared before the court again on Monday at a plea hearing.
The trio aged 18 or over appeared via video link from Durham Prison, and the 17-year-old was also on a link, but from Wetherby Young Offenders’ Institution.
The 16-year-old was produced from youth custody and appeared in the dock at the court.
A single count of murder was put and the five defendants each pleaded not guilty, but the court was told all accept being present when the incident took place.
The case timetable was set following discussions between counsel for the defendants and Judge Paul Sloan, The Recorder of Newcastle.
It was agreed the prosecution case should be submitted by February 26, with signed defence statements presented to the court by the five defendants, by March 26.
Pre-trial hearings will take place on April 1 and May 13, with the trial confirmed to start on June 4, but at Teesside Crown Court, rather than at Newcastle.
(Image: Durham Constabulary) Judge Sloan remanded Vint, of Constantine Road, North Bitchburn, plus Brown, of Hill Meadows and Roles, of Clement Way, both Willington, in custody.
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The 17 and 16-year-old defendants will remain in youth custody.
But a bail application will be made later this week for the 17-year-old, who turns 18 prior to the trial.
Judge Sloan said he would discuss with the presiding judge at Teesside which court, either Newcastle or Teesside, will be the venue for the first of the two pre-trial hearings in the case, on April 1.