Attorney-General Deb Frecklington appeals teen’s triple-fatal crash sentence

The mother of a teenage girl, who was killed along with two others in a horror crash caused by a 13-year-old boy in a stolen car, has spoken out after the Attorney-General’s decision to appeal the sentence.

Oakhurst teenager Kelsie Davies, pictured with her mum Susan Marcus, was killed in a horror crash on Sunday night along with two of her friends.

The mother of a teenage girl, who was one of three killed when a 13-year-old behind the wheel of a stolen car caused a horror crash in Maryborough, has welcomed Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington’s decision to appeal the boy’s sentence.

Kelsie Davies, 17, Michale Chandler, 29 and Sheree Robertson, 52, died in a crash on April 30, 2023.

On December 6, the teenager, now 14, was sentenced to six years’ detention and is required to serve 60 per cent of the time behind bars, meaning he will be out by Christmas next year.

Speaking exclusively to this publication, Kelsie’s mum Susan Marcus, said she supported the decision, even though she wasn’t sure it would ultimately change the result.

Susan Marcus, mother of 17 yr old Kelsie Davies

“I do support the decision as it keeps the spotlight on these young thugs,” she said.

“(I’m) not sure much will come of it in regard to a longer sentence though.”

Ms Marcus was previously vocal in her disappointment that the teenager could not be sentenced under the LNP government’s new Adult Crime, Adult Times laws because the crash happened when the old legislation was in place.

She reflected that the boy was just the sort of teenager her daughter had once wanted to help.

“She worked for the church for youth, that was her job,” Ms Davies said outside court in November.

Riverside Christian College principal Michelle Gouge said Kelsie Davies was a part of the school's dance crew. Pic: Riverside Christian College.

“She used to plan Friday nights and weekends and picnics to stop kids from going down that path, and here’s this kid sitting there – yeah, it’s just very sad.

“Trying to give them things, get them off the street, give them something productive to do without drinking, without smoking, without drugs, and still have a great time.”

Efforts were also made to contact Lisa Latimer, sister of Ms Robertson, who has fought for justice for her sister since the horror crash.

She had not responded at the time of publication but after the sentence was handed down, Ms Latimer said she had “no faith in the justice system”.

Ms Frecklington on Monday confirmed she has lodged an appeal against the sentence given to the teen.

Reach Church members 17-year-old Kelsie Davies and church pastor Michale Chandler, 29 were killed in the crash, as well as 52-year-old Hervey Bay nurse Sheree Robertson, who was in a separate vehicle.

The statement from Ms Frecklington simply said: “Communities across Queensland have been forced to deal with Labor’s youth crime crisis for years.

“The former Labor Government weakened the laws, creating a generation of young criminals who see themselves as untouchable.

“The Crisafulli Government has committed to legislating the Making Queensland Safer laws before Christmas.

“Our proposal to strengthen the laws, including Adult Crime, Adult Time, were overwhelmingly backed by Queenslanders at the election and are a high priority to restore confidence and ensure safety in communities throughout the state.

“The Crisafulli Government will deliver a justice system that puts the rights of victims of crime front and centre.”

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Originally published as Attorney-General Deb Frecklington appeals teen’s triple-fatal crash sentence