Dunedin man pleads guilty to manslaughter after partner's death

Friday 8 August 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 8 Aug 2025, 10:11am

Andrew Jayden Mercer, 32, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his partner, Robert Douglas Ralston, in the Dunedin High Court. Mr Ralston died in hospital following a fall from a moving trailer on Brockville Road in late March. Mercer also pleaded guilty to refusing a compulsory impairment test.

How they headlined it

9:58am

1. Otago Daily TimesFri 8 Aug 2025, 9:58am

   Dunedin man admits manslaughter over partner's trailer death (opens in new tab)

2. StuffFri 8 Aug 2025, 10:02am

   Surprise guilty plea after fatal trailer fall (opens in new tab)

3. RNZFri 8 Aug 2025, 10:11am

   Andrew Mercer pleads guilty to manslaughter after partner's fall from trailer (opens in new tab)