Taj Hart death: Murder accused Katie Walmsley, Jayden Walmsley-Hume return to Nowra Local Court

The case against the alleged killers of an 18-year-old Nowra man - who was fatally run down in February 2022 - has been delayed in court.

The alleged killers of an 18-year-old man who was fatally run down by a ute in Nowra in February 2022 have returned to court, where the proceedings were delayed due to the pair awaiting a psychiatric examination.

Katie Walmsley, 37, and 18-year-old Jayden Walmsley-Hume were charged with murder over the hit and run death of Taj Hart on Old Southern Rd and have been remanded in custody since their arrest on Sydney’s northern beaches in April 2022.

Walmsley has also been charged with accessory after the fact to murder. No pleas have been entered to any charge.

Police believe the pair are known to each other and resided at the same Currarong residence.

The pair’s arrest came after a months-long investigation by officers from Strike Force Altos, a joint operation between the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and investigators from the South Coast Police District set up to investigate Mr Hart’s death.

Taj Hart, 18, was killed in the hit and run in Nowra early last year.

In March last year, officers identified and seized a white Mitsubishi Triton utility alleged to have been involved in the incident, which was seized from a Currarong address.

Both Walmsley and Walmsley-Hume did not appear in Nowra Local Court when the charges were mentioned on Friday.

The proceedings were adjourned as a result of delays of a psychiatric examination, following an application by Director of Public Prosecutions representative Ellen Dando.

Magistrate Lisa Viney adjourned both matters to July 21 with the pair’s to remain remanded in custody.

Both Walmsley and Walmsley-Hume were absent from court when the matter was mentioned, with it being ultimately pushed back again, after Director of Public Prosecutions lawyer, Ellen Dando, requested more time due to a delay in a psychiatric examination of the two alleged murderers.

Screengrab of dashcam footage capturing ute that killed 18-year old Nowra man. Source: NSW Police.

Magistrate Lisa Viney did not oppose the recommendation, agreeing to have both matters adjourned to July 21 for further conference in the Nowra Local Court. Bail was also applied for by the pair, but promptly refused by Ms Viney.

The pair remain in custody.