TWO more women charged over the death of New Zealand helicopter pilot and firefighter Ian Pullen near Singleton in 2018 have pleaded not guilty and will face a trial in Newcastle District Court.
Nicole Mason, 30, once charged with murder over the death of Mr Pullen, appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday via audio visual link from jail where she pleaded not guilty to four charges, including attempted murder.
Meanwhile, Ivy-Jean Ward pleaded not guilty to a charge of concealing a serious indictable offence over Mr Pullen's death.
The pair will next appear in court next month alongside co-accuseds Joshua Knight and Lilli-Jane Kaye Sales.
Mr Knight, also initially charged with murdering Mr Pullen, was earlier this month committed for trial on a charge of failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death.
Mr Pullen was found dead by the side of Carrington Street at Glenridding about 5.30am on September 29, 2018.
The 43-year-old had a day earlier arrived in the Hunter Valley to assist the NSW Rural Fire Service prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.
Initially treated as a hit-and-run, the mystery prompted a two-year investigation involving multiple appeals for information and a $350,000 reward.
In October last year, after receiving an anonymous tip-off, Strike Force Awabakil detectives arrested and charged Mr Knight and Ms Mason with Mr Pullen's murder.
Police allege that Mr Knight had been driving a white Toyota HiLux utility that struck Mr Pullen in the early hours of the morning before leaving the scene.
Detectives allege the vehicle returned a short time later and Ms Mason got out with the intention of "finishing the job", striking Mr Pullen in the head with an object. But in July, the Newcastle Herald revealed prosecutors were forced to withdraw the murder charges against Mr Knight and Ms Mason when an autopsy revealed Mr Pullen would have died from the initial impact of the car.
Ms Mason was instead charged with attempted murder, with prosecutors alleging she had the intent to kill Mr Pullen despite the injuries that would have already claimed his life.
