The trial of a woman from South Africa accused of killing her three young daughters in New Zealand commenced on Monday. Reports suggest the defense will argue insanity as a reason for her not being guilty.
Lauren Anne Dickason, the defendant, allegedly murdered her 2-year-old twins and 6-year-old sister in September 2021 at their residence in Timaru, a city of 29,000 inhabitants on New Zealand’s South Island. This incident occurred approximately a month after the family migrated from South Africa.
The trial is taking place in the Christchurch High Court under the supervision of Justice Cameron Mander, as per a court spokesperson.
The prosecutors will contend that Dickason was not in a state of insanity during the time of the crime, and that she intentionally killed her daughters. The trial is expected to span about two weeks.
According to media reports in New Zealand, Graham Dickason, the husband of the accused, discovered the lifeless bodies of their three children and found his wife in a critical condition upon returning home after a dinner with colleagues.
Following the incident, Dickason was detained in a psychiatric unit at a hospital, where she has remained since the tragic event.
Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney, edited by Michael Perry.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
