1 Mar 2023

Man pleads not guilty to manslaughter over Boxing Day motorway crash

12:32 pm on 1 March 2023
The High Court at Auckland

The High Court at Auckland, Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

The man accused of kidnapping a woman in South Auckland last year has pleaded not guilty to a new charge of manslaughter.

Jovan Pora, 20, appeared at the High Court at Auckland charged with manslaughter, kidnapping, driving while banned, and refusing a blood test.

A 19-year-old woman, whose identity is still suppressed, died in a single car crash on the South-Western Motorway on Boxing Day last year.

The family of the 19-year-old were at court, visibly upset, wearing black shirts carrying her image.

As Pora was remanded in custody by Justice Sally Fitzgerald, his family called out to him, saying 'we love you, goodbye!'

He is set to reappear next week, and the trial was set down for three weeks beginning in May.