A man accused of attacking an elderly driver in an apparent road rage incident has appeared for the first time on a manslaughter charge in the Auckland District Court.
Jashnatbai Patel, 78, suffered critical head injuries during the incident which followed a minor crash in the suburb of Mt Albert in April.
Bio O'Brien, 28, has been in custody since the attack and a charge of manslaughter was laid against him on Friday.
His lawyer David Niven says the earlier charge of assault is now expected to be withdrawn.
Mr O'Brien made a brief appearance in court on Monday and was remanded until 2 July.