New details in case against 13yo charged over Maryborough triple fatal

How a 13-year-old boy will plead for allegedly crashing a stolen Mercedes and killing three innocent women, can be revealed along with other details from inside the previously closed courtroom.

The crash on Saltwater Creek Rd on April 30 claimed the lives of Kelsie Davies, 17, Michale Chandler, 29, and Sheree Robertson, 52.

Courtroom proceedings against a 13-year-old boy charged over a crash that killed three women in Maryborough can be reported on for the first time along with new details about what police allege happened.

This is after the case was heard before Judge Leanne Clare in Maryborough District Court where the media was not locked out of the proceedings as had happened on consecutive previous occasions when it was still progressing through a lower court.

The crash on Saltwater Creek Rd on April 30 claimed the lives of Reach Church Pastor Michale Chandler – a 29-year-old mother and occupational therapist at a local primary school who had moved to the region from Townsville – fellow church member and gifted dancer Kelsie Davies, 17, and 52-year-old nurse Sheree Robertson who was driving back to Hervey Bay after working a shift at Maryborough hospital.

It also left a third Reach Church member Kaylah Behrens, whose recovery continues, fighting for life in hospital.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in the night and one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and grievous bodily harm while excessively speeding.

On Tuesday, the court heard the teen had been committed to sentence after entering a guilty plea in Maryborough Children’s Court on November 28 last year.

“This is quite serious case your honour,” Crown Prosecutor Chris Cook said, telling the court the teen had driven a stolen car for an extended period of time and caused two collisions which resulted in the three deaths and a “very serious grievous bodily harm” to another person.

“He is a young person, 13 at the time.

Fraser Coast nurse Sheree Robertson, Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler and teen Kelsie Davies were killed in the horror crash in Maryborough.

“The Crown seeks that this case be listed for arraignment.”

A Brisbane District Court date of March 6 was requested.

The court heard the purpose of the delay was to submit materials that could impact on the issue of the teen’s capacity at the time.

The court was told it wasn’t expected to be an issue, but it was something that needed to be explored.

Judge Clare said the case would be transferred to Brisbane for arraignment.

However, Mr Cook said it was intended that the case would return to Maryborough.

“That may change, but that’s the plan at this stage,” he told the court.

In the wake of the crash a makeshift memorial for the three women has become a permanent fixture near the Maryborough welcome sign.

More than $113,000 was raised for the women’s families as funerals were held and the community was united in grief. 
Judge Clare said on Thursday the case should be heard in Maryborough as it was a matter of particular interest to the whole community.

The teenager was remanded in custody and his appearance was to be required at his next court appearance.