Heavy security at toddler shooting hearing

Security was on high alert at Wellington District Court today as a depositions hearing began for 12 men charged with the murder of Wanganui toddler Jhia Harmony Te Tua in an alleged gang-related drive-by shooting.

The two-year-old died on May 5 last year after shots were fired in the Wanganui suburb of Gonville.

Twelve men charged with her murder and one charged with being an accessory appeared in court today amid tight security.

Two others, who faced charges relating to the incident, had pleaded guilty to an alternative charge and did not appear today.

Police officers and security guards were present inside and outside the courtroom and metal detectors were in place at the entrance to the court building.

As the prison van arrived at court it was followed by a car carrying armed police.

The 13 accused men sat in the public gallery flanked by police while members of the public watched proceedings from another courtroom via a video link.

Seventeen defence lawyers were in court as well as three representing the police.

Judge Russell Callander heard applications on media coverage and will give his decision later today.

- NZPA