New Zealand mom convicted of killing her 3 younger daughters

Wellington, New Zealand — A New Zealand jury on Wednesday discovered a mom responsible of murdering her three younger daughters after rejecting her protection that she was so mentally in poor health on the time she could not be held accountable.

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 practically two years in the past.

She had pleaded not responsible to homicide, arguing she was struggling extreme despair that may very well be traced again to postpartum despair. Prosecutors acknowledged Dickason had suffered from despair however stated it wasn’t sufficient to warrant a medical protection. They stated she killed her kids out of anger and resentment.

They pointed to Dickason’s troubling cellphone messages and on-line historical past within the weeks earlier than the killings, together with feedback about desirous to kill her kids and Google searches for “simplest overdose in youngsters.”

Dickason and husband Graham Dickason, each certified medical professionals, had moved from South Africa to New Zealand and settled in Timaru simply days earlier than the murders, searching for a extra steady life-style 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 below the covers and tried to kill herself.

Graham Dickason, an orthopedic surgeon, returned from a piece dinner to search out his kids lifeless. He later informed police 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 verdicts on three counts of homicide got here after a four-week trial. Jurors deliberated over three days and voted 11-1 for conviction, a cut up allowed below 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 is also heard crying, RNZ reported.

Dickason’s dad and mom issued an announcement saying the deaths had 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 despair as early as doable, each for yourselves in addition to shut household and mates round you,” Malcolm and Wendy Fawkes stated within the assertion, RNZ reported.

Detective Inspector Scott Anderson stated police needed to precise their deepest sympathies to relations who would by no means get to see Liané, Maya and Karla develop up and dwell out their lives.

“Phrases can’t start to precise the tragic circumstances of this investigation,” Anderson stated in an announcement.