WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A New Zealand jury on Wednesday discovered a mom responsible of murdering her three younger daughters in a case that shocked the nation.
Lauren Dickason, 42, had earlier admitted killing her 2-year-old twin daughters Maya and Karla, and their 6-year-old sister Lianè, at their house within the city of Timaru almost two years in the past.
However she had pleaded not responsible to homicide, arguing she was mentally disturbed on the time of the killings and did not know that what she was doing was unsuitable.
Prosecutors, nevertheless, pointed to Dickason’s troubling telephone messages and on-line historical past within the weeks earlier than the killings, together with feedback about eager to kill her kids and Google searches for “handiest overdose in children.”
Dickason and her husband Graham Dickason, each certified medical professionals, had moved from South Africa to New Zealand simply days earlier than the murders, searching for a extra secure way of life away from the turmoil of their house nation.
Lauren Dickason at first tried to kill her kids utilizing zip ties after which suffocated them with pillows. She then positioned them of their beds underneath the covers and tried to kill herself.
Graham Dickason, an orthopedic surgeon. returned from a piece dinner to search out his kids {dead}. He later instructed police that he knew his spouse was struggling along with her psychological well being and with motherhood however had no concept she was able to killing.
The responsible verdict got here after a four-week trial. Jurors rejected Dickason’s authorized defenses underneath New Zealand’s madness and infanticide legal guidelines. Jurors weren’t unanimous, voting 11-1 for conviction, a break up allowed underneath New Zealand legal guidelines.
Dickason faces a sentence of life imprisonment.
Radio New Zealand reported that Dickason was immobile within the dock as the decision was learn out within the Christchurch Excessive Court docket, after which cried quietly as she left. Jurors may be heard crying, RNZ reported.
Dickason’s dad and mom issued an announcement saying the deaths have been the results of their daughter’s debilitating psychological sickness.
“We wish to encourage households and people around the globe to concentrate on the signs of post-partum melancholy as early as attainable, each for yourselves in addition to shut household and mates round you,” dad and mom Malcolm and Wendy Fawkes stated within the assertion, RNZ reported.
Detective Inspector Scott Anderson stated police needed to specific their deepest sympathies to members of the family who would by no means get to see Liané, Maya, and Karla develop up and stay out their lives.
“Phrases can not start to specific the tragic circumstances of this investigation,” Anderson stated in an announcement.