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12:02am The press and members of the public have now been allowed back in, only to hear that the case has been deferred to 14 August. 

11:28am The request was upheld on the basis of Article 531 of the criminal code, which reads as follows: 

531. (1) The court shall hold its sittings with open doors. Nevertheless, the court may hold its sittings with closed doors in cases where it is of opinion that the proceedings, if conducted in public, might be offensive to modesty, or might cause scandal; in any such case, the court shall previously make an order to that effect stating the reasons for so doing.

11:17am Zahra's lawyers have again appealed for the minor's testimony to be heard behind closed doors. 

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli has now upheld the request and the press and members of the public have been asked to leave. 

11:13am He has arrived now, accompanied by two police officers and two escorts from the prison service who are getting a telling off from the Magistrate for dropping off Tanti 15 minutes late.

A nurse is also present. 

11:12am Tanti is not yet present in the courtroom. 

11:09am Magistrate Audrey Demicoli has refused the request, but called for a ban on the publication of the minor's name.

11:06am The lawyers representing the Zahra family are asking for today's hearing to be heard behind closed door as a minor will be testifying. 

Background

The compilation of evidence against teacher Erin Tanti continues today. Tanti is charged with murdering Lisa Maria Zahra, a student of his.

During the last hearing, Lisa’s father Tony Zahra took to the witness stand in what proved to be an emotional testimony.

At one point, both Tony Zahra and his brother Winston Zahra Snr had to be restrained as they tried to approach Tanti in the dock.

An enraged Mr Zahra repeatedly asked Tanti why he killed his daughter.