‘Experts’ request stall murder-accused mum case

Prosecutors of a mum accused of murdering her son with an overdose have been asked to find experts to explain why drugs a key witness claims the accused put in a blender were neither found in it or in the alleged victim.

At a mention of Maree Mavis Crabtree’s (right) murder charge relating to son Jonathan on Monday in Brisbane’s Supreme Court, Justice Peter

Davis asked the Director of Public Prosecutions for further expert reports from a toxicologist or pathologist.

“What is the explanation on the Crown case to the fact some of the drugs which were said to be placed in the blender not either appearing as trace elements in the blender or in the body?” Justice Davis asked.

The February trial was adjourned after new evidence, prompting a successful mistrial application.

Ms Crabtree, on bail, was in court on Monday.

The court has previously heard daughter Tara alleges her mother placed certain prescription medications in a blender.

During her trial the jury heard Ms Crabtree gave Jonathan juice laced with a fatal dose of prescription medication, allegedly claiming thousands from his life insurance payout afterwards. Ms Crabtree previously pleaded not guilty to murder.

Summarising the “issue” that arose during the part-heard trial earlier this year, Justice Davis said drugs which Tara Crabtree “says she saw being put into a blender by” her mother “do not appear on the toxicology report to be found” about Jonathan’s body.

“After the trial was adjourned, the Crown sought further expert evidence. Now they have a report which identifies some of the drugs which the witness says was put in the blender, identify traces of them were identified in the blender,” Justice Davis said.

“It could be that some things are more soluble,” he said to Crown Prosecutor Zachary Kaplan. “It also depends where the location of the drugs in the blender were found, the oxycodone was found in the grooves at the bottom, liquid-based medication does not have the same consistency as water... it is a heavier substance.”

Justice Davis: “It sinks.”

“That would be the Crown case,” Mr Kaplan responded.

Mr Kaplan told Justice Davis it was possible a “heavier” prescription drug may have sat “in grooves” on the blender’s bottom not in the drink.

Justice Davis adjourned until June 17 to give DPP time to get further expert reports about the blender contents.

“It is unlikely no matter what happens, that there will be a trial this year, if the matter proceeds,” Justice Davis said.