Jason Richard Struhs to stand trial for murder of daughter Elizabeth

A Toowoomba father accused of killing his own daughter after he allegedly failed to provide her with lifesaving medication will stand trial accused of the eight-year-old’s murder.

Jason Struhs.

A father accused of killing his own daughter after he allegedly failed to provide her with lifesaving medication will stand trial accused of the eight-year-old’s murder.

Jason Richard Struhs, 50, fronted a committal hearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday over the death of his daughter Elizabeth. He was charged with murder, torture and failure to provide the necessities of life.

The court heard Elizabeth died in her home, on January 7 this year, after she was allegedly denied insulin to treat her type 1 diabetes.

Elizabeth Struhs.

Police will allege this refusal directly resulted in her death, with no other cause of death identified.

Her mother and 12 other people have also been charged with murder. The court heard all 14 people were members of a religious community that believed in the healing power of God.

According to the police brief of evidence, members of the religious group were at the Struhs family home in Rangeville when the group, including Struhs, allegedly ceased to provide the insulin Elizabeth needed to live on Monday, January 3.

Elizabeth died on January 7, as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis.

As part of the committal hearing Magistrate Clare Kelly said police tendered a large number of statements and exhibits, which included evidence from police investigators, medical professionals and forensic pathologists, as well as a record of interview from Struhs who detailed the processes and decisions he took before he allegedly stopped providing the lifesaving medication to his daughter.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Alister Windsor submitted that the testimony of the medical professionals showed Struhs was aware of his daughter’s condition and the severity of it, and what the consequences would be if insulin was withheld from her.

Ms Kelly said she was satisfied there was enough evidence to substantiate the charges of murder, as well as failure to provide the necessities of life. However, she said that while it could be “inferred and accepted that Elizabeth suffered a level of distress and discomfort as a result of the symptoms” of the insulin cessation, she was not satisfied that the medicine was withheld for the intention of causing pain and suffering, and the charge of torture was dismissed.

After being formally charged, Struhs was asked by Ms Kelly if he had anything to say on the charges, or if he wanted to enter a plea.

Lifting his head, Struhs quietly said “no, your Honour”.

Struhs was remanded in custody for a trial in Toowoomba Supreme Court on a date yet to be determined.

Two of the women accused of being part of the religious group also faced a committal hearing, both charged with murder.

Keita Courtney Martin, 20, and Samantha Emily Crouch, 24, appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court, both representing themselves.

Magistrate Louise Shephard remanded both Crouch and Martin in custody, reserving her decision on whether the pair will stand trial for murder. Martin will next appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on October 26, while Crouch will next be in court on October 28.