Woman accused of killing friend with makeshift weapon named

Tiffani Sutcliffe will face a trial by jury.

Name suppression has lapsed for a woman accused of killing her friend with a makeshift weapon.

Tiffani Sutcliffe, 23, appeared in the Hamilton District Court this morning, via audio visual link, charged with manslaughter and possession of an improvised firearm over the death of Rhys Gordon Williamson.

Williamson, 39, was killed on Seddon Street, Frankton on May 30.

Police allege Sutcliffe struck a pipe that had a shotgun shell in it, discharging the bullet into Williamson's torso.

Sutcliffe has pleaded not guilty to the charges through lawyer Kerry Burroughs and will face a trial by jury.

Sutcliffe was remanded in custody by Justice Sarah Katz until July 11 for a bail application and then for a callover on October 17.

Manslaughter comes with a maximum penalty of life in prison.