A man accused of ramming a police car and causing an eight-car crash in which one person died has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Cornelis Klein appeared in the High Court in Auckland on Friday, charged with manslaughter.
The court was told Michael Roden Plimmer, 72, died instantly on Auckland's North Shore when a jeep driven by Mr Klein landed on his vehicle in February last year.
Forensic psychiatrist Graham Melsop told the court on Friday the accused suffered from bi-polar affective disorder and had had dozens of well-documented episodes.
The court heard Mr Klein was on a lower dose of medication than he should have been and that he had been convicted for assault with a vehicle offences in 2003.
The court also heard Mr Klein had said he accelerated into the police car because the officers were challenging what he described as his god-like status.
Justice Keane accepted Mr Klein was suffering from a disease of the mind and did not know that what he was doing was morally wrong.
Mr Klein has been made a special patient, and taken into mental health care at the Mason Clinic in Auckland.
Family wants accountability
Mr Plimmer's family is "more than disappointed" with the outcome of the court case.
His son-in-law, Scott Graham, says the family accepts Mr Klein is insane, but the not guilty verdict means no one is being held accountable for the death. He says someone should be held accountable for giving Mr Klein a dose lower than he needed.
He says the family also fears he may harm the public again.
Psychiatrist on treatment
A psychiatrist who assessed Mr Klein's mental health treatment says it could have been better.
Dr Ian Goodwin told Checkpoint Mr Klein had experienced manic episodes before.
He says his family or friends should have noticed he was unwell.
Dr Goodwin says as special patient, Mr Klein can be released only by the Minister of Health.
