'I knew the Preston Davey trial would be truly tragic, but nothing prepared me for what I heard in court'
A court reporter reflects on the harrowing details of the trial regarding the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey. The defendants, who were in the process of adopting the child, included a teacher who served as a safeguarding lead.
Why it matters
The case raises serious questions about the efficacy of child protection services and the vetting processes for prospective adoptive parents.
News opinion Rachel Smith Court reporter 16:10, 21 Jun 2026 Updated 19:49, 21 Jun 2026 View 8 Images A vigil for Preston Davey on what would have been his fourth birthday (Image: Dave Nelson)
The article is a first-person account of a court reporter focusing on the emotional and factual weight of a criminal trial.
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