Trial for man police say shot at them

A man police allege shot at them as he sped off in a stolen car, will go to trial.


Leonard Archer Hall, 34, is accused of the shooting after kidnapping thre epeople and driving off in their car.


He will be back in the High Court in Auckland in March when a date will be set for his trial on 18 charges, including attempted murder, kidnapping, shooting at police, firearms and driving charges.

He has been appearing in a depositions hearing before justices of the peace in Auckland District Court this week. The JPs found there was a case to answer and committed Hall for trial.

During the hearing, police said they feared a spray of bullets after Hall allegedly pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger but the gun misfired on June 5 last year.

Police allege Hall later shot at police in the car park at the St Lukes Mall before taking the car of a Chinese couple and their son -- sparking a police pursuit.

During the 45-minute chase the heavily tattooed Hall allegedly shot at police before the car was forced to stop on the northwestern motorway, the court was told.

The couple and their son were deeply traumatised but unhurt.

- NZPA