22 Feb 2016

Trial of WINZ murder-accused postponed

9:14 am on 22 February 2016

The trial of a man charged with murdering two staff at Work and Income in Ashburton has been postponed until tomorrow.

The WINZ office in Ashburton, where shots were fired this morning.

Russell John Tully is accused of murdering two staff at Work and Income in Ashburton. Photo: Supplied

Russell John Tully is charged with the murder of Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland and the attempted murder of their colleagues, Lindy Curtis and Kim Adams, in September 2014.

The accused also faces two firearms charges and one of setting a trap police allege was intended to injure people.

The trial at the High Court in Christchurch was due to begin this morning.

But an email from court staff this morning said the day was being set aside for a pre-trial application hearing, and jury empanelling would now take place tomorrow. The trial is set down for three weeks.