US man charged with office massacre

A court in the United States has been hearing details of how a man accused of shooting dead seven colleagues is alleged to have methodically targetted his victims.

Prosecutors said forty-two-year-old Michael McDermott walked into the internet company near Boston where he worked armed with a semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a pistol.

They said he killed the people in less than eight minutes, breaking down a door to shoot some who had taken refuge in another room.

The prosecution said McDermott was angry at having to pay back taxes from his wages.

His lawyer said his client, who pleaded not guilty, had been receiving psychiatric treatment.

No bail was granted and the court was adjourned for a month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service