The man accused of killing 65-year-old David Keith Yates in West Auckland last year has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, after it was revealed in court today that he told mental health workers he had been hearing voices in his head prior to the alleged attack.
The defendant, who continues to have interim name suppression, appeared at the High Court at Auckland via audio-visual feed from a lockdown psychiatric facility.
Also at the hearing, Justice Sally Fitzgerald found the man fit to stand trial, citing two psychiatric reports "which were fairly clear and consistent in their conclusion".
Yates' body was found at his Candia Rd home in Swanson on November 13.
During the defendant's first appearance at Waitākere District Court in November, he did not respond to or engage with the judge and did not acknowledge if he could hear and understand the proceedings. A psychiatric assessment was requested.
