The high profile Toowoomba legal battles stretching into 2025
In the hustle and bustle of court, some cases stand out, lingering in the minds and hearts of the community. These are some of the big upcoming cases of 2025 related to Toowoomba.
Police & Courts
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As the new year kicks off and our courtrooms start to fill again; some of the region’s highly anticipated legal battles are set to swing into motion.
Numerous high-profile legal cases remain unresolved, with much of the community waiting on bated breath to learn what the courts will decide.
These are some of the big upcoming court cases of South West Queensland, Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs seeing action in 2025.
Judge to decide in Elizabeth Struhs homicide
Eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs died in her Rangeville home in January 2022 after her father, Jason Struhs, allegedly took her off lifesaving insulin, in an attempt to prove a devotion to God.
Prosecutors claimed the group, known as The Saints, believed in the healing power of God, shunned modern medicine and spoke in tongues.
Members of The Saints, allegedly led by Brendan Stevens, pressed and manipulated Jason to take on their beliefs, even offering words of encouragement in the days Elizabeth lay dying.
All fourteen defendants chose not to call evidence in their defence.
In closing statements, the group argued they were being persecuted for their religious beliefs, beliefs they were entitled to.
The defendants told the court they believed it was impossible for them to be convicted of the little girl’s homicide as she would be resurrected, with Jason Struhs claiming she was only “sleeping”.
Jason Struhs, 52, and the group’s alleged leader Brendan Stevens, 62, are on trial for murder while the other 12 defendants are charged with manslaughter.
They are Elizabeth’s mother Kerrie Struhs, 49, Zachary 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.
They have all pleaded not guilty.
The verdicts are expected to be returned in early 2025.
Bruce Lehrmann rape allegations
The rape case against former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann will make headway roughly two years after allegations he sexually assaulted Brittany Higgins in Parliament House were dropped.
Police allege the pair met on a night out in Toowoomba and later went home together after Mr Lehrmann gave the woman a fake name.
Police claim the pair engaged in consensual sex earlier in the night before falling asleep; however the unconscious woman later woke up to Mr Lehrmann penetrating her.
It’s alleged she told him to stop and realised he was not wearing a condom, so positioned herself to force him out of her body.
Mr Lehrmann has denied the allegations and is defending the charges against him.
Prosecution claims place the alleged rapes around two months after Mr Lehrmann was publicly identified as the man accused of raping political staffer Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, for which he has always maintained his innocence.
The criminal trial brought forward by Ms Higgins was ultimately aborted following findings of juror misconduct and dismissed.
Mr Lehrmann will return to Toowoomba District Court on January 23, 2025 for his next mention.
Robert Crawford accused of ‘lawnmower’ murder
The man accused of murdering his wife and attempting to cover up his crime will see his case continue through the courts in 2025.
Frances, a mother of three, worked as a psychologist in Toowoomba where she was also deeply involved in the Toowoomba Restoration Church.
The beloved mother’s body was found unresponsive at the foot of a retaining wall next to a ride-on mower at the property.
After an extensive investigation, police will allege Robert John Crawford, 46, moved Frances’ body after killing her to try and conceal the murder as a tragic lawnmower accident.
They allege the women came from Italy, United States of America, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Afghanistan, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
He remains in custody awaiting his next court date.
Tina Hazard and Lachlan Freund stand trial for alleged murder
Two people charged with the drive-by shooting of a 25-year-old Toowoomba man will head to trial in 2025.
Police allege Mr Morgan was being followed by a stolen ute while driving down Ruthven St near Downlands College when he was shot in the head.
Mr Morgan managed to make it back to his partner’s home, despite a bullet being lodged in his brain, but quickly deteriorated.
Mr Freund has been held in custody since his arrest in the months after Mr Morgan’s death awaiting a trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of murder and charges of arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle remain in the District Court.
Ms Hazard was committed to stand trial for murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle in the Supreme Court in December 2024.
Neither defendant has entered a plea as of yet.
Ms Hazard currently remains in custody awaiting her next mention in the 2025 Supreme Court sittings.
She also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court.
Accused killer Kyaharlem Hazard sent to district court
Ipswich man Kyaharlem Hazard, 20, was allegedly driving at speeds of more than 150km/h on the night of July 14, 2023 in a stolen vehicle when the car crashed into a tree, bursting into flames.
Police arrived almost immediately but later advised they were not in active pursuit at the time of the crash.
The case was plagued with multiple lengthy delays as defence struggled to obtain brief material, slowing progress through the courts.
In November last year, Mr Hazard, previously charged with manslaughter, had his charge reduced to that of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.
Following this decision, his defence team moved to have the case sent to the Toowoomba District Court for mention in 2025.
Mr Hazard is charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and driving without a licence – disqualified by court order.
He is yet to enter a plea to any charge.
William Currey and Aaron Bunt stand trial for Christmas Eve murder
Two men accused of beating a 53-year-old to death are due to stand trial on murder.
Police claimed Mr Hagerty died after being beaten by the two men in a Ruthven Street home he shared with Mr Bunt, to which Mr Currey was visiting.
Witness statements made at Mr Bunt and Mr Currey’s committal hearing claimed Mr Bunt and Ms Richards carried Mr Hegarty back to his room after the alleged beating and left him in his bed to die.
Their case was committed to the Supreme Court in November last year after it was determined there was sufficient evidence for a trial.
Mr Currey and Mr Bunt were remanded in custody and were not called upon to enter pleas to their murder charges.
Neither man was required to enter a plea.
Both men will have lesser charges mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on January 20, 2025.
Multiple CBD crashes cause traffic chaos
Emergency services were called to separate incidents in the CBD shortly after 2pm.
‘Really bitter’: Toowoomba cluster linked to faulty knee replacements
A US maker of replacement knees issued a product recall after its products were found to be faulty, but lawyers have revealed why patients are unlikely to receive compensation.
WATCH: Man busted stealing high-priced tools from Bunnings
Police are calling for help to identify a man who made repeated trips to Bunnings and would appear to steal expensive items with a sneaky strategy.
Everybody appearing at Toowoomba Magistrates Court, Friday, January 31
Here is a list of matters listed at Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday.
Expanded definition of murder fails short on first big test
A criminal law expert has explained why a father was found not guilty of murder despite withholding insulin that his daughter needed to keep her Type 1 diabetes in check.
‘Always smiled’: Elizabeth Struhs remembered as brave and cheeky
Elizabeth Struhs was a cheeky, caring and clever young girl who dreamt of becoming a doctor. It was a future robbed from her by her parents and their misguided belief that only God could heal.