An accused murderer's preliminary hearing has been closed to the public because the highly emotive evidence might cause revulsion and prejudice a fair trial.
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Jack-Harrison Vincent Sadler, 27, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jake Anderson-Brettner at a Riverside house in August last year.
Two witnesses, Gemma Elizabeth Clark and Josh Hayes, will give evidence at the Launceston Magistrates Court hearing.
The court was closed after a joint application from the Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates and defence lawyer Greg Richardson.
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Mr Coates said the primary purpose of the proceedings was for defence to ask questions to obtain a fair trial in the Supreme Court and reporting on the material could prejudice that trial.
Mr Richardson said there was a risk of potential jurors being prejudiced.
A suppression order is also in place for Clark, who in April pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the murder of Mr Anderson-Brettner and failing to report the killing.
Mr Coates said that order would be futile if Thursday's hearing was open.
Magistrate Sharon Cure said she was satisfied it was in the interest of justice for the proceeding to be closed.
Supporters wishing to sit through the hearing were limited due to the size of the courtroom gallery.
People's names and their relationship to the case were written down and presented to prosecution and defence, who then approved a list of 20 of Mr Anderson-Brettner and Clark's family members that could sit through the hearing.
The list of approved people was handed to the magistrate.
An order prohibiting the publication of evidence heard during the proceeding was also made to prevent supporters from being able to publish details after concerns were raised about information being shared on social media.
