Winz shootings: Accused yet to enter a plea

File photo / Martin Hunter

A psychiatric assessment has been completed on alleged Ashburton Work and Income double killer Russell John Tully but he is yet to officially enter any pleas.

Homeless man Tully, 48, is charged with murdering Work and Income front counter workers Peggy Noble, 67, and Leigh Cleveland, 55, on September 1.

He's also accused of attempting to murder a third worker, Lindy Louise Curtis, 43, who was was shot in the leg and badly injured, and a fourth, Kim Elizabeth Adams.

Tully was arrested seven hours after the shooting and charged.

He had been remanded in custody at Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch for a psychiatric assessment to be carried out.

Tully appeared from custody in the High Court at Christchurch today where he was represented by new counsel, leading defence lawyer Phil Shamy.

After a short hearing where Crown prosecutor Nicola Pointer told the court that his psychiatric assessment has been completed, Justice David Gendall remanded him in custody for a case review hearing on November 25.

Mr Shamy had no objections to the move, saying it was "a suitable position at this stage".

Tully also faces charges of setting a man trap - namely a length of steel wire fastened between two trees - with intent to injure, as well as two charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, one a semi-automatic five shot shotgun and the other a pump action shotgun.

He is also charged with the theft of a mountain bike, leather jacket and various grocery items on August 24 at Ashburton.