Lauren Anne Dickason’s case was heard in the Supreme Court today and it was confirmed that her lawyer had filed a request to move her trial in 2023 from Timaru, where the alleged crime took place, to Christchurch.
Dickason allegedly murdered 6-year-old Liané and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their home in Timaru on September 16, 2021.
Her husband, orthopedic surgeon Graham Dickason, found the three children dead and his wife in serious condition when he returned from dinner with colleagues.
The family had emigrated to New Zealand from Pretoria and had only been in Timaru for two weeks – after a stint at MIQ – when the children died.
The specific details of their deaths have been withheld.
Dickason has not attended any of her court hearings since her first appearance two days after the children were murdered.
The first appearance was in the Timaru District Court and subsequent dates were in the High Court in Christchurch.
In October 2021, her attorney pleaded not guilty to all three murders with Dickason’s signed consent.
A trial date has been set for 2023.
Since then, several scheduled hearing days have been postponed as health assessments of the accused killer continued.
Dickason was again exempted from appearing in court in person today.
That apology was granted by Judge Mander last month when her case was last heard.
He explained that her appearance was excused on the advice of her treating physician.
He said it was thought best not to expose her to court at this stage.
Today Judge Mander heard from Dickason’s attorney Kerryn Beaton QC about the request to move the trial.
Since the alleged murders took place in Timaru, the trial would take place there.
However, Beaton said it was not possible to properly accommodate Dickason there due to her health problems.
She asked the court to move the trial to the Supreme Court in Christchurch, where she is currently being held.
Justice Mander granted the request.
He said it meant the trial may need to be moved to 2024.
A date for that trial would be confirmed later this year, pending space at the High Court in Christchurch.
Dickason remains in custody in the medium security psychiatric ward in Hillmorton.
After the three girls were found dead, Dickason was taken to Timaru Hospital in critical condition.
Within 24 hours she was arrested and charged with the three murders.
Dickason first appeared in the Timaru District Court on September 18.
She was remanded in custody and held in a forensic psychiatric facility for investigation.
A week after the alleged murders, Graham Dickason said he had forgiven his wife and felt she was also a victim of the tragedy.
He has since returned to South Africa.
Obviously, he called in for today’s hearing.
It is unclear when or if he will return to New Zealand.
Details about a funeral or farewell to the little girls have not been shared by the family.
– By Anna Leask