Man pleads guilty to manslaughter of mother Jacqui Lee Purton

Over two years since her death, a plea has finally been entered in the tragic death of mother-of-four Jacqui Lee Purton. What the court heard.

Jacqui Purton. Picture: Facebook

A Campania man has pleaded guilty to the 2023 death of mother-of-four Jacqui Lee Bergman in Hobart’s Supreme Court of Tasmania on Tuesday.

James Kenneth Austin, 40, entered a plea of guilty to one count of manslaughter related to “having charge of a dangerous thing namely a car” and “driving a vehicle at Jacqui Lee Bergman” on March 13, 2023.

Campania man James Austin, 38, has been charged with murdering Tasmanian mother-of-four Jacqui Purton in the early hours of March 13. Picture: Facebook

The prosecution accuse Mr Austin of running down Ms Bergman, 37, at a Native Corner Road property, causing serious injuries which she later died from.

In April 2023, Mr Austin formally entered a plea of not guilty to one count of murder, which has now been withdrawn.

Prosecution told Justice Michael Brett that the indictment filed “was only a recent occurrence”, meaning they had not yet had time to write the facts of the case.

Family members and friends of Ms Bergman, also known as Jacqui Lee Purton, were present inside the court for the sentencing, appearing visibly upset after Mr Austin entered his plea.

Leanne Walford holding a picture of daughter Jacqui Purton. She Matters - Stop Killing Women Rally at Franklin Square Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Due to delays in the case, the sentencing hearing will go ahead next week and is expected to last only a day.

Mr Austin was remanded to appear in court on June 30.

Originally published as Man pleads guilty to manslaughter of mother Jacqui Lee Purton