Murder accused dragged from court by guards

6:10 pm on 26 September 2016

A man accused of a fatal shooting in Manurewa had to be dragged from court by two security guards today, after a tussle in the dock.

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Bodi McKee appeared briefly today in the Manukau District Court in Auckland (file). Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Justice

Bodi McKee, 23, has been charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, and wore a police boiler suit and handcuffs when he appeared in the Manukau District Court.

Bodi McKee

Bodi McKee Photo: Supplied / Police

Mr McKee appeared agitated and frequently looked across at the packed public gallery in the court before sitting down and putting his head in his hands.

Judge Frances Eivers asked that he be seen by a member of the forensic (mental health) team.

Security guards ordered Mr McKee to stand and a short time later there was a scuffle, with the two guards wrestling him to the ground and dragging him into the cells.

His supporters approached the dock swearing but were deterred from getting closer by security guards in the gallery. Judge Eivers left the court as the outburst happened.

Mr McKee is due to appear in the High Court in Auckland next month.

He has been charged with murdering 32-year-old Leslie Putt, who was found shot in the stomach at a Manurewa home on Saturday.

Police had earlier released a statement saying two men had a brief argument in the driveway of the property before Mr Putt was shot. Despite attempts by paramedics to save him, he died.

The other man walked into the house to say sorry to the people inside, before leaving the scene, the police said.

Mr McKee was arrested at a Takanini address this morning without incident.