Firearm charges against Jaydn and Lynette Stimson dropped, murder charge over death of cop Jason Doig remains

Firearm charges against the man who police allege murdered SA police officer Jason Doig have been dropped – here’s why.

Firearm charges laid against the man police allege shot and killed officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig have been dropped just over a month after it was revealed he would be exploring a mental health defence.

Jaydn Stimson, 26, and his mother Lynette Stimson, 58, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday both facing the charge of taking a step to acquire or supply a firearm.

Jaydn Stimson is charged with the shooting murder of SA police officer Jason Doig.

Jaydn Stimson’s mother Lynette Stimson. Picture: YouTube

Police have previously said the charge was unrelated to Mr Stimson’s murder charge, which was laid against him after he allegedly shot and killed Sergeant Doig and injured another officer during a horror shootout near Bordertown on November 16, 2023.

Sgt Doig, 53, is remembered by his colleagues and the Lucindale community as a “legendary country cop” who “lived and breathed” his work.

Police officer Jason Doig. Picture: Facebook

Flowers left outside Lucindale police station after Jason Doig was shot dead. Picture Supplied

Andrew Graham, for Mr and Ms Stimson, told the media in March the firearm charges related to the pair not following the correct procedure to transfer ownership of a firearm.

“The allegations are, essentially, that she didn’t follow the correct procedure to transfer ownership of a firearm,” Mr Graham said at the time.

“This isn’t the firearm that is alleged to have been used in the murder.”

On Tuesday, the court heard prosecution would be withdrawing the firearms charges, with Mr Stimson’s murder and attempted murder charges remaining.

Ms Stimon is not charged with any wrongdoing in relation to Sgt Doig’s death

In April, Mr Graham told the court his client had been diagnosed with a psychotic illness, which he later said was likely to be schizophrenia.

“We’re investigating his mental competence to commit the offences,” he said.

“Just because someone has a psychotic illness doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve got a mental competence defence and that’s what we need to investigate.

Defence lawyer Andrew Graham speaks about the Jaydn Stimson case outside Adelaide Magistrates court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / RoyVphotography

“Mr Stimson has admitted the objective elements of murder with respect to the death of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.”

Under South Australian law, a person who is found not guilty of an offence by reason of mental incompetence does not serve a sentence, but a limiting term.

Mr Stimson remains detained at James Nash House, a mental health facility in Oakden, Adelaide.

That term is a period under mental health supervision – to be served in detention, in the community or a mixture of both – as long as their sentence would have been were they not unwell.

Mr Stimson will next appear in court in June.