KEY POINTS:
Karl Kuchenbecker was already dying from stab and shot wounds to his hands and arms before Graeme Burton stabbed him in the chest.
Today Burton, 36, pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Kuchenbecker who was riding his quad bike along the Wainuiomata fire break on January 6 after Burton had been on the run from police for four days.
He pleaded guilty to 10 other charges, all of which arose from events on the fire break, including the attempted murder of two mountain bikers and using a firearm against two law enforcement officers.
Burton was shot and caught by police after he had wounded two more mountain bikers. His right leg was amputated above the knee the next day.
Today's hearing began in courtroom one at the Wellington District Court before Judge Oke Blaikie transferred it to a secure courtroom without public access.
When Burton was being transported from Wellington Hospital to Upper Hutt's Rimutaka Prison last week he allegedly attacked a Corrections Department guard.
The five-metre-square basement courtroom was secured by police, prison officers and members of the Armed Offenders Squad.
Burton was wheeled into a narrow, barred cell then left alone and handcuffed.
On the other side of the floor-to-ceiling bars were 16 people -- Judge Blaikie, lawyers, police and reporters.
Through his lawyer, Mike Antunovich, Burton pleaded guilty to the charges.
Burton, with shaven head and dark clothing, appeared calm, greeting and thanking the judge.
He was convicted and remanded in custody without plea until February 12. He will not appear in person on that day.
When the case resumed in open court prosecutor Grant Burston made the summary of facts public for the first time.
He told the court Burton had breached his parole and was the subject of a highly publicised police manhunt leading up to the rampage.
On January 6 he was in possession of a loaded shotgun, a loaded revolver, ammunition, a large hunting knife, a folding knife and a baton. He was wearing a Kevlar stab and shrapnel-resistant vest.
He was alone on the firebreak, having been dropped off there by an associate.
A witness saw him there about 5pm just before Burton encountered Mr Kuchenbecker.
Mr Kuchenbecker, 26, left his home at approximately 3.30pm on January 6 on his quad bike. He was expected to return two hours later.
Burton brandished his loaded shotgun at Mr Kuchenbecker and shot him off his bike, shooting him again at close range as he lay on the ground, injuring his hands and forearm, legs and feet.
Mr Kuchenbecker then got to his feet and Burton stabbed him a number of times, inflicting wounds with such force they punctured the victims right lung twice and penetrated his spine.
"Karl Kuchenbecker died where he lay."
Mr Burston said the pathologist had determined that had the fatal stab wound not been inflicted, Mr Kuchenbecker would have died as a result of the injuries to his hands and left forearm due to blood loss unless immediate medical assistance was administered.
Burton then tried unsuccessfully to start the quad bike using the keys that were still in the ignition.
As he stood over the quad bike, two mountain bikers rode past him.
One glanced at Burton as he rode past, then noticed the firearm strapped to his back and the body 20 metres away. He recognised Burton from news media articles.
Burton fired the shotgun at him, shattering his elbow.
The second mountain biker saw Burton shoot his friend and rode past him quickly.
Burton then fired at this man, wounding his left arm. The men then hid in the bushes and called police.
Two more mountain bikers, Nicholas Rea, 50 and Kate Rea, 18, then came across Burton attempting to start the quad bike.
When Mr Rea asked what had happened Burton told him "there has been an accident".
As Mr Rea pulled out his cell phone Burton punched him in the face, saying "no cell phones".
Burton demanded Mr Rea start the quad bike, warning him his life depended on it.
Burton threatened the Reas, saying he had a gun, then it discharged and pellets struck Miss Rea.
This was accidental, Burton later told police.
The Reas escaped and ran for help after following Burton's order to throw Miss Rea's bike in the bush. Burton then rode off on this bike.
Burton later told police he thought Mr Kuchenbecker was a police officer searching for him.
He said he presented his loaded shotgun at the police officers in the hope they would shoot him as he felt bad about killing Mr Kuchenbecker, Mr Burston said.
Burton is expected to be sentenced on April 3.
- NZPA
