The father of a Wanganui toddler shot dead in a gang drive-by last month made clenched fist salutes in the face of jeers from patched Mongrel Mob members at the end of a brief court hearing in Wanganui today.
Josh Te Tua was wearing blue gloves -- apparently
signifying his Black Power affiliation -- and a sweatshirt bearing the image of his daughter, Jhia, at today's Wanganui District Court hearing.
As he left the building, he said nothing but made clenched fist salutes to television news cameras.
In response, several Mongrel Mob members waiting outside the court jeered, one yelling out "too late now, mate".
In court, two Wanganui men charged with the murder of two-year-old Jhia Harmony Te Tua were remanded in custody without plea until June 18.
The toddler was shot dead in her Puriri St home on May 5.
The names of the men, aged 18 and 22, remain suppressed. The men were arrested last Monday and appeared in court the next morning.
Three other men facing lesser charges in relation to the investigation were also remanded for a further week when they appeared this morning.
Their identities are also suppressed.
Security was tight today. Armed police stood outside the court entrance and several squad cars patrolled the block.
About 50 people sat quietly in the public gallery during the proceedings. There was no reaction when one of the murder accused swore loudly as he was led back to the cells.
Inquiries into the shooting are continuing. On Saturday a 24-year-old Wanganui woman was arrested and charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
At least a dozen other people have been arrested since Jhia's death, and police have executed many search warrants, recovering guns, drugs and stolen goods.
Police have said they are interested in a dark-grey 1991 Nissan Primera, registration number XR4697, which they believe to be involved in the events of that night.
- NZPA
