A religious group accused of killing an eight-year-old girl by denying her medical care are meeting weekly to prepare for a trial that could last seven weeks.
Kerrie and Jason Struhs and (inset) their deceased daughter Elizabeth.Credit: Nine News
Six men and eight women charged over the death of Elizabeth Struhs in the family home in Toowoomba in January 2022 appeared by videolink from prison for a case review in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The child died after her parents and 12 others allegedly withheld her diabetes medication for six days. Instead, they prayed next to Elizabeth, failing to alert emergency services as her health deteriorated, police say.
Elizabeth’s father Jason Richard Struhs and the group’s leader Brendan Luke Stevens have previously been indicted for murder.
The other 12, including the child’s mother Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, were indicted on a charge of manslaughter.
A pre-trial hearing to discuss categories of evidence is due to be held on May 20 and 21 before Justice Glenn Martin, ahead of the trial expected to start before Justice Martin Burns in early July.
The other defendants are Zachary Alan Struhs, Loretta Mary Stevens, Therese Maria Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, Acacia Naree Stevens, Camellia Claire Stevens, Alexander Francis Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens, Keita Courtney Martin, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch and Samantha Emily Schoenfisch.
Another review is due to be held on May 15.
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