Remand to case review for accused Ashburton gunman
A psychiatric report has been completed on the man accused of being the Ashburton gunman, Russell John Tully, and he has been remanded to a case review hearing in November, without entering formal pleas.
The case review is the next step in the process towards a High Court trial for 48-year-old Tully on two charges of murdering WINZ staff members, two of attempted murder, theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and setting a man trap with intent to injure.
At his last appearance in the High Court at Christchurch on September 23, Justice Christian Whata remanded him in secure custody at Hillmorton Hospital for the psychiatric report to be completed.
Defence counsel Phil Shamy told the court today that the report had now been completed and agreed to the request of Crown prosecutor Nicola Pointer for the case to be sent to the case review on November 25.
Tully has not yet entered pleas, but the case review is the automatic next step in cases where there are no pleas.
Tully faces charges of murdering Peggy Noble, 67, and Leigh Cleveland, 55, who were shot dead in the Cass Street WINZ office in Ashburton about 9.50am on September 1.
He is accused of attempting to murder their colleague, Lindy Curtis, who was shot in the leg, and another staff member, Kim Adams, a mother-of-two who was allegedly fired at as she ran out the office’s back door.
Tully made a brief appearance before Justice David Gendall today and was remanded in custody at the prison for the November appearance, and suppression orders imposed last month were continued.
Category: News
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