Elizabeth Rose Struhs death trial: Defendants’ unusual demands

Members of a hardline religious group accused of the homicide of a little girl have issued a series of unusual demands ahead of their Supreme Court trial.

Parents Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs are among the 14 charged over Elizabeth Rose Struhs’ death.

Members of a hardline religious group accused of the homicide of a little girl have issued a series of unusual demands ahead of their Supreme Court trial, including that they be given access to snacks and refreshments and a guarantee they will be back in prison in time for their dinner each night.

The 14 members of “The Saints” group will face a months-long trial from next week over the death of eight-year-old Toowoomba girl Elizabeth Struhs, a diabetic child whom prosecutors allege was denied insulin.

At a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, the court heard the case, due to begin next Tuesday morning, would now be delayed by four hours to allow members of the group to have a meeting.

The court heard the 14 accused, who were all in custody, had raised concerns about how close Corrective Services officers had sat to them during previous meetings and requested more privacy.

“You’ve rightly acknowledged that the Corrective Services officers have tried to maintain a respectful distance, but you’ve felt restricted in your capacity to freely discuss issues,” Justice Burns said.

After conferring with Corrective Services, Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco said the defendants would be given individual chairs and be allowed to sit in different groups in the courtroom for their pre-trial meeting.

“They are assured that privacy will be afforded to them in their discussions,” Ms Marco said regarding the proximity of security officers.

Elizabeth Rose Struhs died in January 2022.

In a previous letter to the court written on behalf of all 14 accused, they asked about the availability of snacks and refreshments during the trial, as well as being able to have their evening meal in prison every trial day upon their return from the court.

On Wednesday, Justice Burns said trial proceedings would finish daily by no later than 4.15pm to allow the defendants to be taken back to their respective prisons in time for dinner.

The accused members will also be allowed to wear their prison clothes to court every day because they said they were warmer and more comfortable.

During criminal trials, defendants are often dressed in more formal attire rather than their prison-issued green outfits.

Elizabeth was found dead in her home at Rangeville in Toowoomba on January 7, 2022, after she was allegedly taken off her diabetes medication.

It is alleged her insulin had been withdrawn on January 2 so that her father could prove his faith in God to the hardline religious congregation.

Her parents, Jason and Kerrie Struhs, were arrested the same month, while the other 12 accused – five men and seven women – were arrested in July 2022.

Elizabeth’s father Jason Struhs, 52, and the alleged group leader Brendan Stevens, 62, have been indicted on charges of murder.

The remaining group members have been charged with manslaughter: Kerrie Struhs, 49, Zachary Alan Struhs, 21, Loretta Mary Stevens, 67, Therese Maria Stevens, 36, Andrea Louise Stevens, 34, Acacia Naree Stevens, 31, Camellia Claire Stevens, 28, Alexander Francis Stevens, 25, Sebastian James Stevens, 23, Keita Courtney Martin, 22, Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch, 33, and Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, 25.

All 14 defendants have repeatedly declined legal representation and are self-represented. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

An estimated three-month judge-only trial will begin on Tuesday before Justice Martin Burns.

Originally published as Elizabeth Rose Struhs death trial: Defendants’ unusual demands