Guilty pleas for 3 murders in 2000

ANova Scotiaman has admitted to murdering a man for his truck and then carrying out a hit on a couple in 2000.

Michael Lawrence pleaded guilty onTuesday to three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Charlie Maddison, Kirk Mersereau and his wife, Nancy Christensen.

Lawrence, 37, from Windsor, said nothing as he was led into the courtroom in Kentville surrounded by armed guards.

A conviction for first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years.

In court on Tuesday, Lawrence faced Maddison's family and said he was sorry. He said if he had his life to live again, the murder would not have happened.

Linda Maddison, Charlie Maddison's daughter, told reporters outside the courtroom that her family had gotten some closure from the day's proceedings.

"This is a very difficult time for us," she said.

"We are really pleased to havefinallyafter so many yearsreceived some answers about whathappened to my father."

Maddison, 55, disappeared on Sept. 8, 2000, while driving from his home in Portapique, Colchester Countyto Halifax for a medical appointment. His truck was found burned in a clearing two days later.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Lawrence was hitchhiking to Halifax to commit a robbery. He was in the Truro area when Maddison picked him up.

Lawrence ordered Maddison to drive to a secluded area, and then get out of the truck. He shot Maddison twice with a handgun.

Lawrence drove on to Halifax, but he didn't go through with the robbery. He went back to the spot where he shot Maddison, and hid the body.

Planned shootings

The next day, Lawrence went to the home of Mersereau and Christensen in Centre Burlington to help murder them. An accomplice shot them first, according tothe court document, then Lawrence shot them with the same handgun he used on Maddison.

Police believe Mersereau put a bounty out on any full-patched member of the Hells Angelsbecause he believed the club had his brother killed.

Randy Mersereau, a former Hells Angel,disappearedduring a biker gang war in 1999.His remains were found during a police search of a propertyin Truro in December 2010.

Lawrence was chargedwith murdering Kirk Mersereau and Christensen weeks later.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Lawrence admitted to police what he did and participated in a re-enactment of the shootingsbut couldn't show police where he hid Maddison's body.

Maddison'sbody has never been found.

Curtis Blair Lynds and Leslie Douglas Greenwood also facecharges of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kirk Mersereau and Christensen.

Lawrences, Maddisons meet after hearing

Cindy Lawrence, Michael Lawrence's mother, said she and her husband met with the Maddisons after the court proceedings.

"We apologized for theloss they've suffered at the hands of our son. They were extremelygracious people and we're grateful for that," she told reporters.

"We sent condolences along to Mr. Maddison'smother and we just pray that everyone can find peace at some pointand move on. It's been a hard day and nobody wins."

Lawrence saidMichaelthe second of three childrenwas raised in a drug and alcohol-free home.

"When this all came to light last year, we talked to him aboutconfessing when we knew what he'd been investigated for. We talkedto him and reminded him that he'd always been taught to tell thetruth and to own up for his mistakes," she said.

"He said he feels better that he's confessed. He deserves what hegets, in his words."

John Lawrence, Michael Lawrence's father, said his son has taken "full responsibility" for his actions.

"He pled guilty to it. He's willing to accept the consequences.That's it. He's going to be older than I am when he gets out ofjail," he said.