Elizabeth Struhs pre-trial: Religious group members to not take active role in hearing

The case of 14 religious group members charged over the death a young Queensland girl has taken a surprise new twist.

Elizabeth Rose Struhs died in 2022 after being taken off diabetes medication.

Religious group members charged with the homicide of an eight-year-old Toowoomba girl will not take an active role in a hearing to determine the admissibility of evidence at the upcoming trial.

Elizabeth Struhs died in January 2022 after she was taken off her diabetes medication, allegedly so she could be “healed by god”.

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.

Jason 51, and alleged group leader Brendan Stevens, 61, have been indicted on charges of murder.

Kerrie Struhs, the mother of Elizabeth.

Kerrie, 47, 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, have all been charged with manslaughter.

A pre-trial hearing next week will examine the admissibility of certain evidence that the crown seeks to lead at trial.

This includes evidence of the prior trial and investigation of Jason and Kerri for failing to provide the necessities of life to Elizabeth.

In 2021 Kerrie and Jason Struhs were each sentenced for failing to provide the necessities of life for Elizabeth arising from an incident in 2019 where they failed to get medical treatment for their daughter who became severely underweight and slipped into unconsciousness.

The crown contends the evidence goes to the proof of knowledge about Elizabeth’s medical condition and her need for insulin in order to live.

The religious circle's leader Brendan Struhs. Picture: Supplied

The crown is seeking this evidence be admissible against her parents as well as Loretta and Therese.

Justice Martin Burns asked the accused, who are self-represented and appeared by video in Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday, to what extent they wished to participate in the pre-trial hearing.

“We have already spoken together last Friday about this and we have no intention of, as you said, being involved in that process,” Brendan said.

Justice Burns said the pre-trial would be conducted by another judge so not to clutter his mind with inadmissable evidence.

Justice Burns is overseeing the judge alone trial, which is set down for several months, later this year.

The pre-trial begins on Monday.

Originally published as Elizabeth Struhs pre-trial: Religious group members to not take active role in hearing