Axe murderer admits escape charges

John Ericson

Convicted murderer John Frederick Ericson today pleaded guilty to two charges relating to his escape from Wellington Prison on Friday.

In Wellington District Court Ericson, 45, pleaded guilty to escaping from jail and being in a public place with a weapon.

He was remanded in custody until December 3, with a pre-sentence psychological report to be prepared for his reappearance.

Ericson gave himself up when approached by a police officer near the Wellington ferry terminal around 1.30pm on Saturday.

He was taken into custody without any resistance.

He is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty in April 2000 to murdering his wife by striking her repeatedly in the back of the head with a tomahawk while she was asleep.

- NZPA