Girl’s brother headed to trial

Struhs case continues

THREE more people of a total 14 charged with murder arising from the death of Toowoomba girl Elizabeth Rose Struhs have been committed to stand trial on the charge.

Alexander Francis Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens and Elizabeth’s older brother Zachary Alan Struhs appeared separately before Toowoomba Magistrates Court via video link from Brisbane Men’s Correctional Centre on Thursday.

Magistrate Clare Kelly said she was satisfied by the police evidence put before her that each of the three had been at the Struhs family’s Rangeville home as Elizabeth’s health deteriorated and she eventually died.

It is the Crown case that Elizabeth’s parents Jason and Kerrie Struhs decided to cease her insulin injections, and knew their daughter, a Type 1 diabetic would most likely die if she didn’t receive her insulin.

Ms Kelly said it was the Crown case that Elizabeth’s insulin had been ceased about January 3, and she had died on January 7.

Referring to Zachary Struhs’ statement to police, Ms Kelly said it was in evidence that he denied they had murdered Elizabeth and that the eight-year-old had died of “natural causes”.

The court heard the Struhs, Schoenfisch and Stevens families belonged to a religious group that believed in the healing power of God and shunned any medical intervention for human life.

In his statement, Zachary Struhs had said it had been Elizabeth’s decision to cease the insulin, and then Jason Struhs’ decision, and it was not a joint decision by the group, Ms Kelly said.

She said she was satisfied each of the three had “aided” Mr and Mrs Struhs by their presence at their home, by their assistance of Elizabeth as her health deteriorated and by their encouragement of Mr and Mrs Struhs.

Asked if he had anything to say when committed to trial, Zachary Struhs said: “Not guilty”.

When Ms Kelly put the same question to Alexander Stevens, he replied: “I do not believe I murdered Elizabeth” while Sebastian Stevens replied: “Not at this stage”.

Ms Kelly committed each of the three to stand trial on the charge of murder at the Toowoomba Supreme Court at a date to be set.

That takes the total number so far committed to stand trial on murder arising from Elizabeth’s death to 12, with two more defendants yet to have their committals completed.