NZ trial date set for SA murder-accused

The murder trial of an SA mother accused of killing her three small daughters in New Zealand has been scheduled for mid-2023. Lauren Dickason, and her husband Graham, emigrated to New Zealand with their three daughters in September last year. The Citizen reports that Graham Dickason, an orthopaedic surgeon, had just begun his new job at the Timaru Hospital, when he got home from work to discover the bodies of his three daughters and his wife in serious condition. His wife was taken to hospital in a serious condition and into custody shortly thereafter. The trial, expected to take several weeks, was initially set for early next year in Timaru, but after a successful application for a change in venue, the trial will be held in Christchurch from 17 July 2023. Dickason has been remanded in custody in the medium secure psychiatric unit at Hillmorton. Her husband has since returned to SA.