‘We’re not bothered’: Man charged with killing girl, 8, defiantly says religious group won’t get legal advice

One of the men charged over the death of a girl, whose lifesaving medicine was allegedly withheld for days, has made a bold statement in court.

A man charged over the death of a young girl, who died after allegedly being deprived of her insulin medication, has defiantly told a court he and 13 others are “not bothered” by the potential outcome of a criminal case against them.

Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch is one of 14 members of a close-knit religious circle who are accused of causing the death of Elizabeth Struhs, 8, in January last year.

Those charged include the girl’s parents Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs and Jason Richard Struhs.

During an appearance at Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday, Mr Schoenfisch defiantly told Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth the group were “never” going to get legal representation.

“We’re not bothered by the outcome, we’re not worried how we can escape years and years of jail,” he said.

“You can’t force us to get legal representation.”

Elizabeth Rose Struhs, 8, was found dead at her family’s Rangeville home in January last year. Picture: Supplied

Justice Applegarth told all 14 defendants they had every right to seek legal advice and the case could take longer if they were self-represented.

“Let’s say your belief is that God will provide,” he said.

“Just in my way of thinking, you’ve got to think, ‘Well, what has God provided? What would God want for me? What would God want in terms of a just outcome?’

“Just think whether one thing God provided was the legal aid office?”

“I don’t believe that, Your Honour,” Mr Schoenfisch said as others laughed from the dock.

Police allege Elizabeth Struhs, 8, died after her lifesaving insulin medication was withheld for days in January last year.

Members of the religious group are alleged to have prayed instead of seeking medical help, believing God would heal the child.

Crown prosecutor Todd Fuller KC told the court the new indictment charged only the group’s alleged leader Brendan Luke Stevens and Mr Struhs with murder.

The other 12 – Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, Loretta Mary Stevens, Acacia Naree Stevens, Therese Maria Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, Camellia Claire Stevens, Alexander Francis Stevens, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, Zachary Alan Struhs and Keita Courtney Martin – will face charges of manslaughter only.

During their appearances on Thursday, all eight women were crammed into the Supreme Court dock.

The men were flanked by Corrective Services officers as they were seated in the jury box.

Elizabeth’s parents Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs are facing charges of murder and manslaughter respectively. Picture: Supplied

Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth stressed to the 14 they needed to consider their individual positions, as it was not a “group trial”.

“Each of you is an individual defendant,” he said.

“You happen to be here today because the 14 of you are charged on the single indictment.”

The court was told none of the group had any legal representation.

Brendan Luke Stevens is alleged to be the leader of the religious circle. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

Justice Applegarth said this meant none of them could act as a spokesperson for the group or for each of them.

“You have a right to seek and obtain legal advice in these proceedings … again, it’s for each of you to make an individual decision,” he said.

All 14 answered “no” when asked by Justice Applegarth if they wanted to seek legal advice.

The group also declined to apply for bail.

Mr Stevens, dressed in a red shirt and supporting a thick beard, requested Justice Applegarth allow the men and women “spend some time” together to discuss the issues raised at court.

“We’ve been incarcerated for nine months,” he told the court.

Justice Applegarth said he was not in charge of the decisions made by Corrective Services in their custody.

He said some arrangements could be made for the group to occupy another room in the courthouse, supervised by officers.

Mr Fuller estimated three months for a combined trial of all 14 defendants if they were tried together.

Some defendants were heard laughing when the court was told several months’ worth of preparation was needed by the prosecution.

All 14 will return to court on May 14.

Originally published as ‘We’re not bothered’: Man charged with killing girl, 8, defiantly says religious group won’t get legal advice