The third week of triple-murder accused Lauren Dickason’s trial has begun with a defence witness being questioned on her evaluation of the mom’s psychological state.
Forensic psychiatrist Susan Hatters-Friedman, who’s giving proof for the defence, is on the stand for a 3rd day.
She appeared in individual on the Excessive Court docket in Christchurch on Thursday and Friday, however together with her proof taking longer than deliberate, she has right now appeared through video hyperlink.
The witness, a world skilled on dad and mom who kill their youngsters, did not interview the defendant till earlier this 12 months, virtually two years after she killed her three daughters.
Her evaluation of Dickason’s mind-set on the time of the killings, in September 2021, was that “[she] offered with signs in line with a significant depressive dysfunction with psychotic options”.
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“On the time of her offending Dr Lauren Dickason was labouring underneath a illness of the thoughts to such an extent that it rendered her incapable of understanding her acts have been morally improper,” Hatters-Friedman stated on Friday.
She’s being cross examined by Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae, who steered there was a “reframing of occasions” in Dickason’s thoughts by the point of Hatters-Friedman’s interviews together with her.
He has referred to letters between Dickason and her husband Graham after her arrest.
The court docket heard Graham wrote to his spouse and expressed a lack of know-how round how the killings came about.
A psychiatrist the accused spoke to quickly after the incident stated “Lauren appeared considerably dismayed by this, she acknowledged that Graham been there together with her by all of this and had seen how troublesome it had all been for her”.
“I discovered her rationalization reasonably complicated myself,” he wrote.
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‘A method of understanding’
His notes say he then steered to Dickason one other method during which she might assist her husband to see her mind-set.
“We mentioned a method of understanding, that the acute recurrent stresses Lauren skilled had brought about profound melancholy which reached the purpose that she felt no choice however to finish her life.
“We mentioned that this choice, having been made, ideas concerning the alleged offending then arose within the context of an altruistic act.”
An altruistic act, mentioned within the trial final week, is the place a guardian kills “out of affection”.
“Lauren appeared to search out this rationalization useful,” the Crown psychiatrist’s notes stated, “and agreed that it will be a great way for Graham to grasp what had occurred”.
McRae stated “that is the clinician, giving an concept primarily to Ms Dickason about how she will rationalise what has occurred in her thoughts, is not it?”
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He requested Hatters-Friedman about feedback Dickason made to a different psychiatrist about not wanting the kids to have one other mom.
“It’s primarily a egocentric motive disclosed… is not it?”
“That is not what I learn, no,” stated the skilled.
The court docket additionally stated heard that in 2022 Dickason learn a ebook on post-natal melancholy.
Lauren Anne Dickason within the Excessive Court docket at Christchurch on 17 July 2023. (Supply: Pool)
Whereas the skilled accepted she did not interview her till after this, she felt it was clear Dickason had post-partum melancholy earlier than she’d learn the ebook.
She additionally reiterated to the court docket that she has checked out all the data on Dickason, from earlier than she turned concerned.
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However McRae stated, “The truth that there are feedback like this within the scientific notes, which recommend a reforming of occasions, a reframing of occasions. That’s, that may be, extremely related when it comes to your perspective in assessing what Ms Dickason is telling you?”
Hatters-Friedman responded, “Certain, however suppose they’re properly that means, they need her to grasp her sickness”.
The jury will quickly hear proof from different psychiatrists, who’re anticipated to assist the Crown’s argument that Dickason killed her youngsters out of anger and resentment, not love.
The 42-year-old denies the fees in opposition to her, utilizing the defences of infanticide and madness.
