Maryborough triple fatal teen could be found ‘not criminally responsible’ by shrink

A boy, 13, accused of causing the death of three women in a horror crash in a stolen car on the Fraser Coast is set to see a psychologist to determine if he is criminally responsible.

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.

A boy accused of causing the death of a three women in a fiery crash in a stolen car in Queensland’s Fraser Coast region is set to see a psychologist to determine if he is criminally responsible for his actions.

Maryborough solicitor Travis George, for the 13-year-old, appeared in the Childrens Court of Queensland in Brisbane on Friday before Judge Terry Gardiner where he said if the psychologist declares the boys has “capacity” he will be arraigned on the charges, and a pre-sentence report will be prepared.

Reach Church pastor Michale Chandler was one of three victims of a horror car crash in Maryborough.

If he does not have capacity he will not be arraigned.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in the night and one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and grievous bodily harm while excessively speeding.

The crash on the night of April 30, 2023 claimed the lives of Reach Church Pastor Michale Chandler – a 29-year-old mother and occupational therapist at a local primary school who had moved to the region from Townsville – fellow church member and gifted dancer Kelsie

Davies, 17, and 52-year-old nurse Sheree Robertson who was driving back to Hervey Bay after working a shift at Maryborough hospital.

Kaylah Behrens, 23, was also involved in the horror crash. Picture: Facebook

A third Reach Church member Kaylah Behrens was seriously injured in hospital.

The child did not appear in court and was not required to, he is held at Brisbane Youth Detention centre.

“There is a question of capacity in relation to the child,” Mr George told the court on Friday.

“The matter was transferred down by Judge Loury KC simply to keep the matter moving forward.

Fraser Coast nurse Sheree Robertson was tragically killed in a crash at Maryborough.

“Our office arranged for a psychologist to attend upon the child which was supposed to occur on the 10th of June,” Mr George told the court.

“That appointment was booked in with the psychologist, the psychologist reception then did not make the appointment with the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre so the appointment could go ahead.

“There is a tentative booking made for the 18th of June where the doctor is available to attend for the psychologist appointment.

“We have not yet - as of yesterday afternoon - had confirmation that the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre can accommodate that.

Oakhurst teenager Kelsie Davies was killed in a horror crash on Sunday night along with two others.

“In essence the matter needs to be adjourned so the capacity question can be answered, because the matter cannot move forward until that time, then there needs to be a pre-sentence report assuming the child does have capacity,” he said.

Crown prosecutor Ashleigh Worthington confirmed Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook would be handing the case and added it was vital to have the child’s psychological assessment prior to arraignment.

The case was adjourned to return to court on July 1, where Mr George will appear via phone from Maryborough.

“The intention originally was that the sentence would occur in Maryborough was my understanding,” Mr George told the court.

Originally published as Maryborough triple fatal teen could be found ‘not criminally responsible’ by shrink