A ruling on the Preliminary Inquiry into the death of Kali Fungavaka is expected to be handed down on April 10 at the Nukualofa Magistrate's Court.

Magistrate Salesi Mafi will rule on whether there is a case to be tried at the Supreme Court against six men accused of manslaughter in the death of Kali Fungavaka.

The victim, a New Zealand police officer, died at Vaiola Hospital on August 23, 2012 after receiving fatal injuries while in police custody at the Nuku'alofa Central Police station on 17 August 2012.

During the Preliminary Inquiry held from February 25-28, Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa made submissions for the case to be tried at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court after calling 23 witnesses.

Defence counsel for the accused, who include five police officers, presented written submissions on March 5.

Defence counsel Mele Kioa represented four of the accused, while the others are represented by 'Ofa Pouono and Palu Taufateau. 

Magistrate Mafi is understood to have personally visited the crime scenes at the police station last week.

The preliminary inquiry had revealed alleged beatings of the victim by the accused. Injuries including a fractured skull were identified by a forensic pathologist from New Zealand who conducted a post-mortem examination of the victim's body. The cause of death was ruled as "a blunt force trauma to the head."