A religious group consisting of six men and eight women are facing charges in connection with the death of an eight-year-old girl, Elizabeth Struhs, who died in January 2022 in Toowoomba. The group is accused of withholding Elizabeth’s diabetes medication for six days and instead relying on prayer as her health deteriorated. The child’s parents, Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, as well as group leader Brendan Luke Stevens, have been indicted for murder and manslaughter, respectively. The case is set to go to trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for May and the trial expected to start in early July.
The accused appeared in court via videolink from prison for a case review, where a hearing was held to discuss categories of evidence. The group is currently meeting weekly to prepare for the trial, which is anticipated to last up to seven weeks. The defendants also include Zachary Alan Struhs, Loretta Mary Stevens, Therese Maria Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, and others who are associated with the religious group. A review of the case is planned for May 15, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for May 20 and 21 before the trial begins in July under the supervision of Justice Martin Burns.
The tragic death of Elizabeth Struhs has sparked a criminal investigation into the religious group’s practices and beliefs regarding medical care. The accused reportedly failed to alert emergency services as Elizabeth’s condition worsened, opting instead to pray for her recovery. The case has raised questions about the balance between religious freedom and the duty to provide necessary medical treatment, particularly when the life of a child is at stake. The upcoming trial will likely focus on the actions and decisions made by the group members in relation to Elizabeth’s healthcare in the days leading up to her death.
The defendants are facing serious charges related to the death of Elizabeth Struhs, and the outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the religious group and its practices. The group’s leaders, including Jason Richard Struhs and Brendan Luke Stevens, are among those indicted for their roles in the child’s death. The trial is expected to be a lengthy and complex legal process, with the prosecution presenting evidence to support the charges of murder and manslaughter against the accused. The defense will likely argue that the group’s actions were motivated by their deeply held religious beliefs, raising important questions about the limits of religious freedom and the responsibility to provide medical care to those in need.
As the trial date approaches, the accused are meeting regularly to prepare for the legal proceedings and ensure they are adequately prepared to present their case in court. The families of both the defendants and the victim are likely experiencing significant emotional strain as they navigate the complex legal process and come to terms with the tragic events that led to Elizabeth’s death. The trial is expected to be closely watched by the public and legal experts, as it raises important questions about the intersection of religious beliefs, medical care, and legal responsibilities in cases where lives are at risk. The outcome of the trial will have far-reaching implications for the religious group and could potentially set a precedent for future cases involving similar circumstances.
