Gerald D. Pa'akaula, left, today pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault for assaulting an Army couple this year at Waikele Shopping Center. He was in Circuit Court this morning with his attorney, Todd Eddins. RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Gerald D. Pa'akaula, 45, was charged with two counts of second-degree assault in the beating of Andrew Dussell and his wife, Dawn.

By pleading guilty, Pa'akaula will be sentenced to five years in jail by Judge Steven S. Alm, but Alm and the city prosecutor will recommend that Pa'akaula serve two years.

Pa'akaula had pleaded not guilty, but he changed his plea to avoid a trial.