Toni Leanne Peacock pleaded guilty to manslaughter and Cooper Lindsay Millard pleaded guilty to murder

A couple accused of killing the woman’s former partner has sensationally changed their pleas on the second day of their trial, in front of the dead man’s family.

A couple set to stand trial for the murder of a volunteer firefighter in Pacific Haven has sensationally changed their pleas on the second day of their trial.

A day after pleading not guilty to murder after a jury of 12 was empaneled, with an additional two jurors selected in reserve, Toni Leanne Peacock and Cooper Lindsay Millard were re-arraigned.

Peacock pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while Millard pleaded guilty to murder in relation to the death of Mark Carson in his Pacific Haven home on April 3, 2021.

Crown prosecutor Chris Cook accepted Peacock’s plea to the lesser charge.

The jury was acknowledged for their service and discharged.

Police alleged Ms Peacock, Mr Carson’s 43-year-old former partner, and her new partner Mr Millard, 45, went to the home of the volunteer firefighter and an altercation took place.

Mark Carson died in April 2021.

Officers were called to the scene and found Mr Carson, 58, dead.

The couple was charged with murder about six weeks later and has been in custody on remand since then.

The matter was overseen by Justice Peter Davis.

On Tuesday, material was submitted to the court on behalf of Millard ahead of his sentencing, including medical records and a letter of remorse addressed to Mr Carson’s family.

The family of Mr Carson was in court on Tuesday to see their son’s killers change their pleas.

The two were set to be sentenced in Maryborough Supreme Court on Friday.

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