16 Aug 2023

Lauren Dickason murder trial jury given majority verdict direction

3:24 pm on 16 August 2023
Lauren Anne Dickason in the High Court at Christchurch on 17 July 2023, on trial charged with murdering her three children.

Lauren Anne Dickason appearing in the High Court at Christchurch on 17 July 2023. Photo: Pool / NZME / George Heard

The High Court jury in the Lauren Dickason murder trial have been given a majority verdict direction.

Dickason is on trial for the murder of her three young daughters in Timaru in 2021 - but she denies the charges, instead arguing it is infanticide and insanity.

A short time ago, Justice Mander told the jury they may deliver a majority verdict if 11 of the jurors are in agreement and they cannot reach a unanimous verdict.

The eight men and four women have already been deliberating for more than 13 hours.