A man charged with murder over the death of police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig in South Australia’s south-east is facing a new firearm charge.
The man’s mother has also been charged, but the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard the alleged offence was not related to the police officer’s death last November.
Neither Jaydn Harley Stimson or his mother, Lynette Stimson, were required in court for Tuesday’s hearing, which related to a charge of acquiring or supplying a firearm.
Appearing for the Stimsons, defence lawyer Andrew Graham told Magistrate Justin Wickens the charges did not relate to the alleged firearm used in the alleged murder of Sergeant Doig.
Mr Graham said the allegations were that Ms Stimson did not transfer ownership of a firearm following the correct procedure and that the firearms licences have since been suspended.
The court heard the new alleged firearm offence came to light during police investigations into the death of Sergeant Doig.
Ms Stimson is not charged with the alleged murder of the police officer.
Lawyer speaks outside court
Outside court, Mr Graham gave a summary of the proceedings to the media, clarifying that these alleged offences related to a 22 calibre rifle.
“I can let you know that that’s not the firearm that was allegedly used in the [alleged] murder,” he said.
The 53-year-old was allegedly shot and killed in the line of duty at a rural property at Senior in the state’s south east in November last year.
At the time of the shooting, Sergeant Doig and two other officers — Sergeant Michael Hutchinson and Constable Rebekah Cass — were responding to what police have described as a report of “the use of a firearm involving an animal”.
Police said Sergeant Hutchinson, who was also shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and Constable Cass provided assistance to Sergeant Doig as well as the alleged shooter, who was himself shot at the scene.
The 26-year-old accused was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and is currently detained at James Nash House.
“He’s being assessed as to his mental competence at the time — that’s being done quite carefully for obvious reasons,” Mr Graham said outside court.
Mr Graham told the media Mr Stimson’s mother was “very devastated”.
“They come from a fairly small community in the country and I know she’s very upset at what’s occurred,” he said.
“As far as I understand, they both have firearms licences, I can’t comment on where the firearm was found or whether it was secured or not because I haven’t received that information yet.”
Mr Stimson is due to appear in court next month for a charge determination relating to the alleged murder of Sergeant Doig.
The firearm matter will return to the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court in May.
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