The man charged over the death of an 18-year-old who died after being assaulted in Auckland's CBD has pleaded guilty.
Myron Robert Alf Felise appearing in court. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith
Eli Francis Holtz, 18, died in hospital after being attacked in a car at the intersection of Wellesley Street and Queen Street in January.
Myron Felise, 30, appeared in the High Court at Auckland this morning where he pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter.
The summary of facts, read aloud to the court, stated Felise had been drinking at a bar on Wellesley Street in the early hours of 27 January.
Mr Holtz, who was visiting from Whangārei, shot at him with a water gun from a car, hitting him in the lower back.
Felise approached the car, punching him unconscious and hitting him in the head a further three times.
Mr Holtz was taken to hospital but his brain injuries were not treatable and he died a day later.
In an emotional statement outside the court this morning his mother, Kirsten Holtz, said nothing could bring her son back.
She said her family had lost him forever and acknowledged Felise's would now lose their whānau member for a period of time.
Mrs Holtz said her wishes were now to move forward in a positive way and asked people be kind to one another.
Felise was remanded in custody until sentencing in February next year.
It can now also be revealed that in 2010 Felise was found guilty of a 2008 aggravated robbery in which Navtej Singh, 30, was shot dead at his Manurewa liquor store.
Felise was found not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of Mr Singh, along with five other men.