McDonald pleads guilty to 23 charges

Today Stephen Hohepa McDonald pleaded guilty to 23 charges laid by police in relation to the motorway shooting incident, which resulted in Halatau Naitoko being killed.

Police originally laid 35 charges; however a number of these were either amended, substituted or withdrawn to the 23 charges pleaded to today which comprehensively reflect the events of the 23rd January 2009 in relation to McDonald.

Detective Inspector Pete Devoy says police are satisfied with today's progress which is the best outcome for victims that we could hope for under the circumstances.

As there are still matters before the courts police will not be making any further comment on this issue today.