The 26-year-old man charged after the two-year-old girl in Mangere died of gunshot wound will be allowed to attend her funeral despite being remanded in custody.
More than 30 Tongan family members turned up at Manukau District court yesterday with many wearing traditional Tongan vala, singing hymns as they waited for the accused to appear.
When they went into the court room their support for the accused was very clear. Some of them yelled out, “stay strong bro”, “we love you”.
The accused whose relationship to the girl was given interim suppression, sobbed in dock during his first appearance.
He has been charged with unlawful possession of a pistol.
The accused will appear in court again on June 24.
Police investigation continued yesterday in the cordoned off scene at the curve of Favona Rd in Mangere near Norana Ave and the cordon remained in place on Friday evening.
