Madison, Neb. ? One of four men charged with killing five people in a bank, including a 29-year-old newlywed hiding under her desk, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder.

Erick Vela’s guilty plea to five counts of first-degree murder, robbery and other charges came as prosecutors prepared for a two-day hearing on defense motions.

Jose Sandoval, Jorge Galindo and Gabriel Rodriguez also face murder charges in the Sept. 26 killings. Authorities said Rodriguez served as a lookout while the others shot four bank employees and a customer, each at close range.

At Vela’s arraignment in October, Norfolk Police Capt. Steve Hecker testified that Vela confessed to an FBI agent soon after his arrest on the day of the shootings.

Vela told authorities he fired shots at Bryant’s desk, and then heard shots throughout the bank. Bryant, a 29-year-old newlywed, was found dead under her desk, where she had apparently hid, Hecker said.

Vela’s attorney, Mark Albin, said Thursday he did not contest the authorities’ account. But he said he would seek a change of venue for the sentencing phase and would challenge electrocution as Nebraska’s sole method of execution.

The other four victims were customer Evonne Tuttle and employees San Sun, Lola Elwood and Jo Mausbach.

Erick Vela pleaded guilty Thursday to five counts of first-degree murder, robbery and other charges. He's shown here in September 2002 outside the county court in Madison, Neb.