The jury in the Antonie Ronnie Dixon trial has found him guilty of the murder of James Te Aute.

Mr Te Aute was shot with a homemade sub-machine gun in East Auckland on January 21, 2003.

Dixon was acquitted on four charges of attempted murder, but found guilty on another eight charges - the murder of Mr Te Aute and wounding, kidnapping and firearms offences.

Dixon, 36, had denied all the charges, including the attempted murders of Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler, who were mutilated by a samurai sword in Pipiroa on the same day. Ms Gunbie lost a hand in the attack.

As he was led away, Dixon said to Kathie Hills, the mother of Ms Gunbie: "It won't get you the hand back."

He has been remanded in custody for sentencing on May 27.

As the foreman was asked about each of the 12 charges, he was also asked if the not guilty verdict was because the jury considered him insane. To each of those questions the foreman replied: 'No.'

Justice Potter ordered a health assessment and pre-sentence report and said she may consider having Dixon detained in a hospital or secure facilility rather than a prison until his sentencing.

As Dixon left the dock he said to the judge "Can we do the sentencing today? I don't want to do reports".

Dixon's defence counsel, Barry Hart, said he would lodge an appeal after sentencing.

The Crown had argued Dixon was a nasty angry man who embarked on a crime spree while fired up on the drug methamphetamine, or P.

Defence lawyers said Dixon was insane.

Justice Potter had instructed the jury to put aside any feelings of sympathy or prejudice.

The jury had been considering its verdict since yesterday afternoon.

- HERALD STAFF