Teenager pleads guilty to Doig/Vaughan murders

2.00pm

One of the men charged over two South Auckland murders last month has pleaded guilty to 11 charges, including two of murder.

The Manukau District Court was today told how armed robber 18-year-old Ese Junior Falealii fired a bullet into the back of a pizza bar worker's head, killing him instantly, during an armed hold-up in Pakuranga on May 8

The court was told Falealii shot Mr Doig, 23, in the back of the head as he was obeying the robber's instructions to lie on the floor.

A week later Falealii shot Mangere Bridge bank teller John Vaughan in the head at point-blank range as Mr Vaughan held his hands up in a surrender gesture during an armed robbery in the Auckland suburb of Mangere. Mr Vaughan died in hospital eight hours later.

Falealii and other associates are facing a variety of charges including the murder and aggravated robbery of Mr Doig and the murder and armed robbery of Mr Vaughan.

Today Falealii pleaded guilty to two murder charges, eight charges of armed robbery and one of attempted murder.

The other accused were due to appear in the Manukau District Court again on July 5. Their names continue to be suppressed.

Falealii was remanded in custody until July 19 for sentencing in the High Court at Auckland.

Before he left the dock, his lawyer, Kevin Ryan QC, said his client wanted to apologise to the families of his victims.

"I wish I could give some explanation your honour, but I can't and neither can he," Mr Ryan told Judge Mary Beth Sharp.

However, Mr Ryan said that by his early admission of guilt, Falealii had taken a step in the right direction and asked that he express his contrition and sorrow at the deaths.

As each charge was read out, and Falealii was asked to plead, he responded "Guilty. I'm sorry" in a barely audible voice.

The family of John Vaughan said in a statement this afternoon that they were relieved at the news of the guilty plea.

They said they could now get on with grieving their dearly loved father, son, close friend and former husband.

The statement said they are understandably still devastated at their loss and are still dealing with the tragedy.

They expressed their gratitude to police "for the speed with which they have instigated the course of justice."

And the ASB Bank said the news in particular lifted the burden from its staff and the Vaughan family.

"We are moving on with our business to support the Mangere community, but the senseless murder of our colleague, John, is something staff are still struggling to understand," ASB Managing Director Hugh Burrett said.

- NZPA