Warning: This story contains evidence from the trial which some readers may find extremely upsetting.
The father of three girls killed by their mother in their Timaru home will be cross-examined in court on Wednesday.
Lauren Dickason is standing trial accused of murdering their little girls Liané, Maya and Karla in Timaru in 2021 - just weeks after the family emigrated from South Africa.
Dickason's trial will continue for a third day at the High Court in Christchurch, with her counsel mounting a defence of insanity and infanticide.
It's being alleged by the Crown Dickason is guilty of murder, saying she was aware of her actions before, during and after the crime.
Her husband, Graeme Dickason, will speak via video link from South Africa on Wednesday for the second day.
On Tuesday, the court was shown Graeme's nearly three-hour-long interview with police, during which he said he didn't see "any sign of life" when he discovered his children in bed.
After arriving home from a work event on the evening of September 16, 2021, Graeme asked his wife, "What's the matter?" And she told him 'It's too late.'
"I assumed the kids were sleeping, then I realised something was wrong. I walked to Liané's bed, she was covered with the blanket - I took off the blanket, her face was pale, she had a cable tie around her neck. I ran to the twins' room, saw the same thing there."
The court heard on Monday how Lauren told her children they were going to make necklaces and then put zip ties around their necks.
In the police interview played on Tuesday, Graeme said how he "panicked" after finding his daughters.
"I... ran back and asked her what she's done," Graeme told police. "I grabbed a scissor, I ran to Liané's room and cut the cable tie, ran to the twins, cut the cable ties. I didn't see any sign of life."
It was also revealed on Tuesday there were three prior instances where Lauren had thoughts of hurting her children.
"The first incident was, roughly, in May 2019 - I'm not too sure exactly of that date... and it was a normal night, [the] night nanny came and I was there but, at that particular night, Lauren was helping with settling down the twins," Graeme told the court.
"When she came back into the main kitchen area - or dining room area - I could see that she was crying and... she looked anxious. And, of course, I immediately engaged with her and asked her, 'What's wrong?'"
Graeme said the second instance came in July 2021, during widespread political unrest in South Africa. She had a severe anxiety attack and mentioned feeling "like she can sedate the children and cut their femoral arteries and so that it can just all be over", Graeme said.
The third instance came just before their departure to New Zealand when Lauren spoke of "having that feeling again", he said.
The trial is set to last three weeks.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
