9 Feb 2016

Man pleads guilty to killing Massey student

10:34 am on 9 February 2016

The man accused of murdering a Massey University student last year has pleaded guilty to killing her after the charge was changed to manslaughter.

Jesse John Ferris-Bromley in Palmerston North High Court.

Jesse John Ferris-Bromley pleaded guilty to manslaughter and two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Virginia Ford, 20, originally from Dunedin, was killed at an apartment near the university campus in Palmerston North in March last year.

Jesse John Ferris-Bromley was charged with her murder and his trial was due to start in the Palmerston North High Court today.

But this morning the charges were changed to manslaughter and two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Ferris-Bromley pleaded guilty to those charges.

He stood with his head down most of the time he was in the dock, speaking only to plead guilty three times.

He will be sentenced in April in Wellington.

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