Three in court for girl’s murder
Hand-up committal hearings held
THREE of 14 people charged with murder arising from the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs will learn whether they will be committed to the Supreme Court on the charge next month.
Acacia Naree Stevens, Camellia Claire Stevens and Therese Maria Stevens appeared separately before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday for full hand up committal hearings.
Magistrate Clare Kelly told each of the accused that she would have to consider the evidence before deciding as to whether each of the defendants should be committed up to the Supreme Court for hearing.
Ms Kelly told police prosecutor Sergeant Alister Windsor that she could not access certain evidence on disc and that she would not be considering evidence that she couldn’t access.
Acacia Stevens and Camellia Stevens likewise told the court that they had trouble accessing the particular discs though Therese Stevens said she hadn’t looked at all of the material but what she had looked at she had been able to access.
During the hand up committal hearings, Sgt Windsor filed more than 180 witness statements from police, forensic officers, medical reports, defendant statements and other exhibits.
The trio along with Elizabeth’s parents Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, Brendan Luke Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, Loretta Mary Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens, Alexander Francis Stevens, Zachary Alan Struhs, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, Samantha Emily Crouch, and Keita Courtney Martin, are each charged with murder.
Jason and Kerrie Struhs as well as Brendan Stevens are also charged with failing to provide the necessities of life to the eight year old.
Police claim Mrs Struhs, 46, and her husband Jason Struhs, 50, withheld medication required by their daughter, a Type 1 diabetic, who died in the family’s Rangeville home sometime around January 7 and 8.
It is the Crown case that the couple opted for prayer over medical treatment and that Elizabeth died as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Police claim that the other 12 people charged with murder were also at the Meredith Crescent home when Elizabeth Struhs died.
Jason Struhs has been committed to the Supreme Court on his charges and another three accused will front the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Ms Kelly reserved her decision on Acacia, Camellia and Therese Stevens until November 1 when each defendant will appear via video link from the women’s prison.
All 14 accused have been remanded in custody and have not as yet been required to enter pleas.