Charges of murder and attempted murder were heard in Invercargill yesterday, following two incidents last year.
The person charged with the murder of a 9-year-old boy found dead in Otautau last year was remanded without plea.
In a separate case, an Invercargill man denied a charge of attempted murder, after he allegedly shot another man last year.
Emotional members of the victim’s family from the first case were present yesterday in the High Court at Invercargill.
They consoled the mother of the child who cried throughout the hearing.
Details about the accused’s identity, including their age and sex, continue to be suppressed.
The Otautau community was shocked after the young boy was found dead last October.
Justice Cameron Mander remanded the person until their next appearance on March 17, when a plea is expected.
In the other case, Joel Maikara Amohanga (29) appeared by audiovisual link, accused of attempting to murder Kane Harris Joseph Johnston-Walters on November 9.
Amohanga faced four district court charges — unlawful firearm possession, discharge of a firearm near a dwelling, threatening to kill and assault.
Those were transferred to the High Court.
Amohanga denied all charges.
The charges threatening to kill and assault were in relation to a different complainant.
However, all matters will be heard in the High Court.
The appearance followed an incident last year in which police and the armed offenders squad were called to an address in Brown St, Strathern.
A jury trial was scheduled for February next year and Justice Mander remanded Amohanga until his next appearance in May.
