Ex partner pleads guilty to killing Plunket nurse

Chazz Hall has pleaded guilty to killing Napier Plunket nurse Victoria Foster.

Despite earlier pleading not guilty, Hall changed his mind and appeared via video link in the Napier High Court on Friday morning to admit killing his former partner.

Hall murdered the 24-year-old mother in her Napier home on October 26, 2015.

He pleaded guilty to murder, threatening to kill police, dangerous driving, dangerous use of a firearm and unlawful use of a firearm.

Judge Karen Clark remanded Hall in custody, with sentencing set down for early March.

A large contingent of Foster’s family sat quietly in the dock, comforting each other while the proceedings took place.

The summary of facts detailing how the offence took place were suppressed until sentencing.

Hall was arrested in Clive, between Napier and Hastings, after being shot by police on the night it is alleged he killed Foster.

He was pursued by officers and shot about two hours after her body was found in her Westshore home, north of Napier.

Hall, who police have previously said was in a relationship with Foster, was taken to hospital after being shot, and had initial charges laid against him at a bedside court hearing two days after the shooting.

A trial had been tentatively scheduled for March this year.