KEY POINTS:
The second driver involved in an illegal Mt Maunganui street drag race that resulted in the death of a young man has been found guilty of manslaughter.
A jury in the High Court at Rotorua last night found 17-year-old Christopher James Copping of Tauranga guilty of the manslaughter of Scott Finn, 20.
The Bay of Plenty Times reported Copping showed little emotion when the verdict was read out after about three hours deliberation.
Copping was not driving the car that actually struck and killed Mr Finn, who had been acting as a race starter, during a street drag race in Aviation Ave in the early hours of May 19, 2007.
Jeffrey Luke, 20, who was driving the car that struck Mr Finn, earlier admitted a manslaughter charge and was sentenced to 20 months in prison. He was recently released.
Luke and Copping had been racing back towards the starting area at high speed, almost side by side at speeds of up to 130km/h.
Crown prosecutor Greg Hollister-Jones said that Copping, as a party in the "competition of speed', encouraged Luke's dangerous driving, and was therefore equally liable for Mr Finn's death.
Copping's lawyer Paul Mabey said the evidence collectively showed there was "a chase" but "no race".
Copping claimed he was cruising back to the start line when Luke sped past him, cut in front, swerved to the left and hit Mr Finn.
Justice Paul Heath granted Copping bail and he will be sentenced on September 26.
- NZPA
