A South Australian police officer who held his partner in his arms as he died has confronted the killer, who was found not guilty of murder due to mental incompetence.

Eighteen months after the ambush near Bordertown in South Australia’s south-east, Sergeant Michael Hutchinson faced Jaydn Stimson, who fatally shot Sergeant Jason Doig during what was supposed to be a routine welfare check, in court.

“I’ve known Jaydn since he was five,” Hutchinson said.

“I know the family. I don’t hate him. Hate is a negative thing that just doesn’t benefit anybody.

“Hopefully one day he gets better… I just don’t want to see him again.” 

He recounted holding Doig as he died.

“Despite all my efforts to save Jason, he died in my arms,” he said.

“The guilt I carry that Jason died on my watch is something I’ll live with for the rest of my life.”

The court heard that 27-year-old Stimson was suffering from an undiagnosed psychosis at the time of the shooting. 

Earlier that day, he had shot his brother’s dog, and the three officers who attended Stimson’s remote property were met with gunfire. 

“If I had just taken two extra steps I’d have been in that room. Possibly shot, possibly dead,” Senior Constable Rebekah Cass, another officer who responded, said.

Doig’s mother was too grief-stricken to be in court, but still submitted a statement to Stimson. 

“No parent should ever have to bury their child,” she wrote. 

“I hope one day you fully grasp the weight of your actions and feel the burden of that for the rest of your life.”

Stimson’s lawyer told the court in 18 months he’s barely spoken, but after they sat and read him the victim impact statements last week, he was visibly shaking and responded, “I won’t be forgiven but I’d like to tell them I’m sorry”.

Stimson was found not guilty of Sergeant Doig’s murder due to mental incompetence. 

He has been ordered to serve a life term under mental health supervision at James Nash House.