Man pleads not guilty by insanity to killing child in crash

A man charged with manslaughter after a car crash which killed an eight-year-old boy in Tokoroa in May has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Pehi Rangi, 24, appeared for a depositions hearing in Hamilton District Court yesterday.

Rangi's lawyer, David Bates, conceded there was a prima facie case against Rangi and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Eight-year-old Liam Cooper died in the crash and his father Mark and family friend Rowan Pringle are both recovering from extensive burns and other injuries.

The Coopers and Mr Pringle had been on the way to a soccer match in Matamata.

Police handed up 38 written statements and exhibits including posters and a box of material.

Rangi was remanded to the High Court at Hamilton on November 4 for a pre-trial call over.

He will remain at the Henry Bennett Centre, the mental health unit at Waikato Hospital, until a date for his trial is determined.

- nzpa