Calgary gang member pleads guilty in 2009 triple murder

One of the men granted a new trial for his role in the fatal 2009 shootings at a restaurant in southeast Calgary has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.

Two rival gang members, Sanjeev Mann and Aaron Bendle, were shotand killedin the restaurant. Keni S'ua, a bystander, was shot dead in the parking lot of the Vietnamese restaurant.

Michael Roberto pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of committing offences of murderfor the benefit of or in association with a criminal organization, conspiring to commit murder and discharging a firearm.

In an agreed statement of facts, Roberto said he shot a rival gang member, but did not shoot S'ua.

Roberto was sentenced to 16 years and gets double credit for the time he's already served.

In return,he will receive partial immunity and he will testify as a witness for the Crown in multiple upcoming murder trials.

Prosecutor Brian Holtby said it's far from ideal, but the bargain is mutually beneficial.

"The benefit to us is he admitted this and we know the truth,"Holtbysaid.

Roberto was previously convicted of three counts of murder in the Bolsa shootings, as was his associate Nathan Zuccherato, who was convicted during the same trial.

The Alberta Court of Appeal overturned Roberto and Zuccherato's conviction earlier this year after a confession from the Crown's star witness surfacedand ordered a new trial.

• Surprise confession emerges in Bolsa triple murder trial
• Court grants new trials for men convicted in triple murder

Real Honorio was also convicted of first-degree murderin the incident in a separate trial. His appeal is pending.

Roberto apologized in court to the families who lost loved ones because of his actions.

"He renounced his role in the gang culture, decided to try to make amends to get his life back on track," said defence lawyer Paul Stern.

Roberto will need extra protectionin prison because of his co-operation, Stern added.