14 religious group members charged over Elizabeth Struhs’ death reject legal assistance

Fourteen members of a ‘religious group’ charged over the death of Elizabeth Struhs, 8, have again rejected legal assistance, saying they will not engage lawyers or apply for bail.

Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs are both charged over the death of their daughter Elizabeth Rose Struhs. Supplied

Fourteen members of a Toowoomba “religious group” charged over the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs have again rejected legal assistance, saying they will not engage lawyers or apply for bail.

At a review of their cases in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Martin Burns said he wanted the matter to progress “as quickly as we can”, noting how long the defendants had already been on remand.

“I’ve been in custody for two days short of 16 months, your honour,” Elizabeth’s father Jason Struhs told the court.

Elizabeth Rose Struhs

“It’s only me and my wife that have been in 16 (months), and the rest have been in 10 months.”

The six men and eight women were arrested following Elizabeth’s death in January 2022 after she was taken off her diabetes medication, allegedly so she could be ‘healed by god’.

Her parents were arrested the same month and the other 12 accused were arrested months later in July 2022.

Members of the group, including Elizabeth’s parents Jason and Kerrie Struhs, are alleged to have prayed while the little girl died.

Jason Struhs, 51, and alleged group leader Brendan Stevens, 61, were indicted on charges of murder last month.

A court sketch of Elizabeth’s father Jason Struhs.

Elizabeth’s mother Kerrie Struhs.

The remaining 12 members of the group, including Elizabeth’s 47-year-old mother, are each charged with a single count of manslaughter.

They are Zachary Alan Struhs, 20, Loretta Mary Stevens, 66, Therese Maria Stevens, 35, Andrea Louise Stevens, 33, Acacia Naree Stevens, 30, Camellia Claire Stevens, 27, Alexander Francis Stevens, 24, Sebastian James Stevens, 22, Keita Courtney Martin, 21, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 32 and Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 24.

Justice Burns on Friday said he had been allocated as the judge who will oversee their trial or trials.

Alleged group leader Brendan Stevens.

He asked the defendants if any wished to apply for bail or seek legal assistance and each indicated they would not.

A lawyer from Legal Aid was present in court and explained the process of applying for legal assistance to the defendants.

At a previous review of the case, the judge asked if arrangements could be made for the 14 defendants to be allowed to meet to discuss the trial and potential applications, including plans for where the case would be heard and whether they would apply for a judge-alone trial.

Samantha Emily Crouch (left) and Keita Courtney Martin (right) are among those charged with manslaughter, accused of being a part of a religious group that opted for prayer instead of medicine that resulted in the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs (centre).

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Todd Fuller KC said he had received correspondence indicating arrangements could be made to allow the 14 to confer during a trial, but his query about a meeting place prior to the trial had not been answered.

Justice Burns said he wanted the case to progress as quickly as possible and listed the matter for a further review on June 16.