More than two years after a Northland mother went missing, a jury has begun hearing evidence surrounding her alleged murder.
Bridget Simmonds disappeared in March 2019, aged 42.
Bridget Simmonds. Photo: Supplied
When police reviewed her case a year later, they identified a taxi trip she had taken to a property in Parakao near Whangārei.
After dive squad and extensive ground searches, Simmonds' remains were found - 15 months after she is believed to have died.
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The Crown alleges Samuel Hemuera Pou murdered Simmonds, punching her and hitting her with a tree branch for up to 90 minutes, on a day between mid-February and mid-March 2019.
The Crown also alleges Samuel Hemuera's nephew, Te Koha Samuel Pou, was an accessory who helped his uncle avoid arrest, and that Te Koha dishonestly used Simmonds' bank card to take her money after she died.
Both men deny the charges.
Te Koha Samuel Pou and Samuel Hemuera Pou on trial over the death of Bridget Simmonds. Photo: RNZ / Sam Olley
Today a jury of six men and six women were chosen to determine whether or not they are guilty.
A full public gallery looked on as Crown prosecutor Mike Smith opened the case.
He told the court Samuel Hemuera Pou "effectively dragged" Simmonds' body for nearly 100m and rolled her into a ditch to hide her.
"And then covered her up with dirt, twigs and leaves and the like. She is partially wrapped in a blanket and partially clothed."
Samuel Hemuera Pou pleaded guilty to four separate charges of injuring with intent, and one charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, in earlier instances police identified through their investigation.
His defence counsel Arthur Fairley told the court Simmonds' death was harrowing but his client did not intend to kill her on the day she died.
Fairley said Samuel Hemuera Pou avoided hitting Simmonds' upper body.
"In fact, he beat her around the legs so he wouldn't kill her," Fairley told the court.
Te Koha Samuel Pou's defence counsel John Moroney questioned whether his client knew the circumstances of Simmonds' death.
"The issue is ... when he knew what was going on, and what he knew."
The court then heard from a registered nurse, the first of more than 40 witnesses expected to be called.
Samuel Hemuera Pou on trial for the murder of Bridget Simmonds. Photo: RNZ / Sam Olley
The nurse said she raised concerns about injuries Simmonds suffered in the months leading up to her death.
Justice Christine Gordon has set aside three weeks for the trial.