A new trial has been ordered after a road accident manslaughter case ended in a hung jury in Wanganui early this morning.
After 10 hours of deliberation, the jury at the High Court in Wanganui failed to reach a verdict for Anson Ray Kokiri, 23, of Hamilton.
Kokiri had been charged with one count of manslaughter, following a crash near Ohingaiti, in northern Manawatu, on June 17 last year.
Kokiri, who pleaded not guilty, had been driving a stolen Honda Prelude at the time.
Dargaville man Wally Fischer, who was driving a Mitsubishi Mirage, died at the scene.
Justice Neazor discharged the jury about 1am today, after members told him they were getting very tired and a new trial was ordered.
The jury had begun deliberating about 3.20pm yesterday after Justice Neazor finished his summing up.
- WANGANUI CHRONICLE
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