Religious cult guilty of killing girl urged to consider psych evaluation

Members of a religious cult found guilty of killing a Queensland girl have been asked by a judge to consider having psychiatric evaluation before they are sentenced.

Eight-year-old diabetic Elizabeth Struhs died in January 2022 while lying on a mattress on the floor of her family’s house in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

Her parents, Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, were members of a group called “the Saints”, which believed in the healing power of God.

The group was accused by doctors, police and prosecutors of withholding insulin from the girl before she died.

In January, the 14 defendants were found guilty of Elizabeth’s manslaughter and were advised it was still not too late to seek legal representation before their sentencing.

During a review on Tuesday in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Justice Martin Burns explained the sentencing process to them over video link.

Elizabeth’s father sat at the back, with his head against the wall for most of the court hearing.

Their sentencing had been scheduled to start on Tuesday, but was delisted so the defendants had further time to read prosecution submissions against them.

One of the defendants, Camellia Claire Stevens, who is the daughter of the Saints’ leader Brendan Luke Stevens, asked to have an “opportunity to meet virtually with the boys” before sentencing.

Kerrie and Jason Struhs and (inset) their daughter Elizabeth.Credit: Nine News

Burns accepted the request, and urged the group to consider whether any of the defendants wanted to proceed with a pre-sentence report.

The judge explained pre-sentence reports were typically sought by lawyers for their clients who had an underlying psychiatric condition, and usually reduced sentences.

“I’m inclined to view that a pre-sentence report for each of you might be appropriate in this case,” Burns said.

“But it would be pointless to make that order if you’re not prepared to co-operate in the preparation of such a report.”

Brendan Stevens shook his head repeatedly.

Burns explained that while pre-sentence reports ordered by the courts were not common, they were ordered in cases like the one before him where the accused was not legally represented.

“There’s no suggestion that you’re suffering from any particular psychiatric condition, the Crown are not suggesting that,” he said.

“But a report would, I think, assist the court if there is some condition of relevance, such as a special vulnerability or some psychological condition, because that would bear upon the extent to which you are culpable.

“It would also bear upon the question of the appropriate sentence that should be imposed.”

When asked whether the group knew if they intended to make submissions for their sentence, Camellia Stevens answered: “Not sure yet, sorry.”

The court heard if the accused decided not to proceed with pre-sentencing reports, the sentence could start later in the week.

The matter was scheduled for review on Friday.

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