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The trial for the man accused of murdering Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming has started today with a jury hearing harrowing details of the veteran Nelson policewoman’s final moments. Hayden Tasker told the court today that he pleaded “not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter”. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. Photo / Supplied The jury was later shown footage of the moment Fleming was mown down while on duty. In the early hours of January 1, 2025, Fleming, 62, and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were foot patrolling a carpark in central Nelson when a vehicle driven by a member of the public drove towards them at speed. Both officers were hit – hard – and were critically injured. Soon after, at Nelson Hospital, Fleming died after suffering catastrophic and unsurvivable injuries. Ramsay was rushed into the surgery that would save his life. Hayden Tasker. Photo / Pool, Iain McGregor, The Press Police later charged Hayden Tasker with murdering Fleming and injuring Ramsey with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is also facing charges of injuring other police at the scene. Tasker’s trial began this morning before Justice Cameron Mander and a jury in the High Court at Christchurch. Jurors are expected to hear from more than 40 witnesses during the three-week trial. Justice Cameron Mander. Photo / Pool, Iain McGregor, The Press In court today were members of Fleming’s family, including her husband, Bryn Olsen. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has also been present in the courtroom. After Justice Mander explained the trial process to the jury, Tasman Crown Solicitor Mark O’Donoghue opened the prosecution’s case against Tasker. He outlined the summary of facts, and the jury was shown CCTV footage and images of the alleged murder. The footage has been suppressed until today. A memorial stone for Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming has been laid outside Nelson Police Station. Photo / Tim Cuff “On the 1st of January 2025, Hayden Tasker drove his car into two police officers. He accelerated as hard as he could and drove straight into them,” O’Donoghue began. “Both of the officers were thrown for metres. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was killed … Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay was seriously injured. “Other people in the vicinity were also put in danger. Some had to scramble, jump out of the way to safety as a result of what he did.” O’Donoghue said that in late 2024 Tasker was living in a white Honda Odyssey in Motueka, about half an hour from Nelson On New Year’s Eve, he purchased three bottles of wine from a supermarket and socialised with friends before driving to Nelson. He arrived at 12.26am and purchased and ate a cheeseburger from McDonald’s, then spent the next hour-and-a-half driving around Nelson, parking up at various places. Shortly before the alleged murder, he parked up at the Buxton Street carpark in central Nelson which was busy given the night’s celebrations. “During this time, he drank about half a bottle of wine,” said O’Donoghue. “He drank rapidly. He sculled it … he was ruminating and brooding about his personal life circumstances.” Nearby, two police cars were one behind the other. Fleming and Ramsay were standing speaking to their colleague in the driver’s seat of the vehicle at the back. Fleming's husband and adult children at her funeral. Photo / George Heard “The defendant looked over to his left and saw them and his thoughts turned to the police and how angry he was with the police,” said O’Donoghue. “At 2:09am the defendant started his car, but he didn’t turn his headlights on. “He drove forward out of his parking space, turned his car so that he was lined up with the two police officers. Having maneuvered his vehicle so that it was facing the two officers, the defendant accelerated as hard as he could straight at them. “To use his own words, he ‘f***ing planted it’.” Tasman Crown Solicitor Mark O'Donoghue. Photo / Pool, Iain McGregor, The Press O’Donoghue said two members of the public were between Tasker and the o...
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