Members of a church group accused of killing eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs by withholding her diabetes medication have decided to give at least one closing address at their trial.
All 14 defendants faced Brisbane Supreme Court yesterday. One-by-one, they stood and were asked if they wished to give evidence themselves, call witnesses or produce witnesses in their defence.
Fourteen people have been on trial, accused of killing eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs in Toowoomba in 2022.Credit: Nine News
Elizabeth’s father, Jason Richard Struhs, 52, and Brendan Luke Stevens, the 62-year-old leader of her family’s church group, are on trial for murder, while Elizabeth’s mother, Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49, and 11 other members of the congregation are charged with manslaughter.
They all declined to give testimony, produce evidence or call witnesses.
Yesterday, the group told Justice Burns they intended to give at least one closing address to the trial but had not decided who would speak. The trial was adjourned until this afternoon to give them time to discuss any closing statements.
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