Daughter of scientist Dr Mary White to face murder trial

A woman accused of murdering her elderly mother, acclaimed scientist Dr Mary White, has been committed to stand trial.

Dr White, 92, who was named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009 for services to botany as a researcher, was found dead in her room at a nursing home in Bundanoon, New South Wales, in August 2018.

A few days later her daughter, Barbara Eckersley, was arrested and charged with murder.

Today, Mrs Eckersley's lawyer Adrian McKenna told the court that although they had hoped the matter might be resolved without the need for a trial, the case should now be committed to the Supreme Court.

In a brief statement outside the court, Mrs Eckersley's husband Richard Eckersley said they "we're gutted that it's come to this".

"It's been going on for nearly 20 months and about a dozen court hearings," Mr Eckersley said.

"The whole experience has been very traumatic for us."

Mr McKenna said his client would be pleading not guilty to the charges but it could be some time before she has her day in court.

"We expect that particularly with the current COVID-19 complications added in the mix, it could be quite some time before the matter does get to a trial," Mr McKenna said.

"This is the last thing Mrs Eckersley and her family wanted but if this is what must occur – a jury trial – then this is what must occur."

Mrs Eckersley remains on bail. The case will go before a court in Sydney in June.