A Hamilton father and son have taken the unusual step of admitting causing the death of a man halfway through their murder trial.
Brent Paul Brown's bloodied and beaten body was found hanging off the end of his bed in the Dinsdale five-bedroom home he shared with three other couples, including his sister, on August 31, 2016.
Lance Tangiriki Bush, 48, and his son Lance Arvi Jackson Bush, 28, began a five-week trial to fight murder and aggravated robbery charges on April 18.
However, on Monday, Bush Snr admitted both charges. He was convicted and issued a three-strike warning.
On Tuesday, his son, Lance Bush Jnr, admitted a lesser charge of manslaughter. He was convicted and remanded in custody for sentencing with his father on May 28.