‘Pastor’ committed to trial over girl’s death
THE last of 14 people charged with murder over the death of eight-yearold Toowoomba girl Elizabeth Struhs has been committed to stand trial.
Brendan Luke Stevens appeared before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday via video link for the conclusion of his committal hearing.
The 60-year-old is charged with murder on the grounds he allegedly encouraged or counselled Elizabeth’s parents to stop her insulin medication, which was necessary to keep her alive.
Magistrate Louise Shephard referred to a number of text messages and phone calls recorded in the police evidence where Brendan Stevens was described as the “pastor and leader” of the religious fellowship involving the Stevens, Struhs and Schoenfisch families.
The religious group believed in the healing power of God and shunned medical intervention.
Ms Shephard said Mr Stevens knew Elizabeth was a diabetic and had almost died in 2019 when she was diagnosed with the Type 1 variation.
Elizabeth’s father Jason Struhs at that time was not a member of the religious group and had rushed his daughter to hospital where she was revived.
He had since been responsible for Elizabeth receiving her insulin injections.
Ms Shephard said Mr Stevens baptised Jason Struhs into the group in August 2021 and counselled Jason Struhs to stop Elizabeth’s medication.
Ms Shephard said in his police statement, Mr Stevens had said that “insulin was against God”.
It was the police case that Mr Struhs decided to stop Elizabeth’s insulin supply on January 3 and she died on January 7.
Police claim the group chose to gather to pray and sing over Elizabeth, believing God would heal her rather than call an ambulance.
Ms Shephard said when Jason Struhs began having doubts as Elizabeth’s health deteriorated and he contemplated restarting her insulin injections, it was alleged Mr Stevens counselled him not to and urged him to believe in the healing power of God.
Ms Shephard said she was satisfied there was sufficient evidence to commit Mr Stevens to stand trial on the charge of murder.
Asked if he had anything to say or wished to enter any plea to the charge, Mr Stevens simply said, “No”.
All 14 accused have now been committed to stand trial on murder in the Toowoomba Supreme Court at a date to be set. Each of the 14 has been remanded in custody awaiting trial.