Lauren Dickason trial
Judge begins his summary to jury
Justice Cameron Mander is providing a summary of the case to the jury on Monday morning. He is expected to take about half a day, then the jury of eight women and four men will retire to deliberate their verdict.
The judge began by telling the jury that Dickason’s police interview the day after the children’s deaths on September 17, 2021, and her various interviews with the experts as part of this case, all formed the evidence they must consider.
How much weight they placed on each account was for them to determine, he said.
“The assessment of the evidence is of course for you."
Their role also included assessing the credibility and reliability of each witness. The consistency of a witness’s evidence, the reasons for any inconsistencies, their demeanour and presentation were all aspects to be considered, Justice Mander said.
The jury’s own knowledge and experience of the world was a “great strength” of the jury system, and each juror must use their own different perspectives to form their decision, the judge said.