Darcy Strickland murder: Mongrel Mob associate pleads guilty

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By Ric Stevens

Open Justice reporter·NZ Herald·

7 Dec, 2023 09:02 PM2 mins to read

Fiery day in the House as Parliament gets back to business, Cook Strait cost blowout lands with the Finance Minister and how Auckland Council is addressing crime in the city in the latest NZ Herald headlines. Video / Interislander / AP / Parliament TV / NZHerald

One of two men charged following the death of Flaxmere man Darcy Strickland has pleaded guilty to his murder.

Alizaye Kireka Windzar Todd, 20, was brought before the High Court at Napier on Friday and said “guilty” in a strong, clear voice after he was asked to plead.

The Mongrel Mob associate maintains he is not guilty of a separate charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, related to a woman who was hurt on the night that Strickland died.

A trial for a second man charged with murder, Keontay Wayne Chadwick, 23, has been set down for February 12 next year.

Strickland was found injured outside a house in Ramsay Cres in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere just before midnight on October 13, 2022. He died at the scene.

Strickland, 29, was described as a gentle giant in a family tribute after his death. He had returned from a trip to France about three weeks before. He was remembered for his kindness and generosity towards his Flaxmere community.

Darcy Strickland is remembered for his kindness and generosity to his Flaxmere community. Photo / Supplied

Justice Dale La Hood presided over Friday’s hearing via audio-visual link from Wellington.

Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME's Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke's Bay. His writing in the crime and justice sphere is informed by four years of front-line experience as a probation officer.