Man accused of killing flatmate 'legally insane'

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An Auckland man accused of killing his flatmate has been found to be "legally insane" at the time, according to a psychiatric report.

Geoffrey Tampin appeared briefly at the High Court at Auckland this morning.

Police allege the 38-year-old murdered his flatmate Dean Clark, 36, on June 26 last year. Tampin had been living in the same house as Mr Clark for only a week before the alleged murder.

Justice Timothy Brewer told Tampin that a psychiatric report obtained by Tampin's lawyer found that he was "legally insane" at the time of the murder.

Justice Brewer said the Crown was now seeking a report of its own to determine what happens next.

"The issue dealt with first is whether a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity would be accepted by the Crown. If the report concurs with the report your lawyer has obtained then the Crown would probably agree that the only reasonable plea would be one of not guilty by reason of insanity."

If that is the case a further hearing would he held where the mental health experts would give evidence before a Judge. A final decision would then be made based on that evidence.

However, Justice Brewer said if the report came to a different conclusion, Tampin may have to stand trial.

Tampin was remanded in custody and is due back in court in July.