NSW mother ruled not criminally responsible for the stabbing deaths of her two sons

In a NSW Supreme Court hearing, a mother who killed her 9- and 11-year-old sons was found not criminally responsible because she was suffering from major depression that prevented her from reasoning about her conduct. The woman, who cannot be named, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic-violence murder after the boys were discovered with stab wounds in their beds. Three psychiatric experts testified that she did not know her actions were wrong, leading Justice Richard Cavanagh to accept a special verdict of not guilty by reason of mental impairment.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had previously agreed to this approach. The court ordered her to become a forensic patient, with her future placement to be decided by a mental health tribunal and subject to review by the Attorney-General and Minister for Health.