Religious group’s alleged act as girl died

A mammoth trial of 14 members of a cult-like religious circle who are accused of killing an eight-year-old girl by withholding her insulin medication will begin on Wednesday afternoon.

More than two years after Elizabeth Rose Struhs was found dead in her home near Toowoomba, the group of eight women and six men who are accused of the child’s murder and manslaughter will face Brisbane’s Supreme Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Those charged over her death include her parents, Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, along with her older brother Zachary Alan Struhs.

Elizabeth, a Type-1 diabetic, was found dead at her family’s Rangeville home, on January 7, 2022.

The Crown alleges members of a closely-knit religious circle known as “The Saints” withheld the girl’s lifesaving insulin medication for several days before she died.

Its members have professed to believe in the healing power of God and shun medical intervention.

It is further alleged the group prayed for Elizabeth to be “healed” by God instead of seeking medical attention.

Brendan Stevens – the leader of The Saints – and Jason Struhs are both charged with her murder.

Twelve others, including Kerrie and Zachary Struhs, are facing charges of manslaughter only.

The others include Loretta Mary Stevens – the wife of Brendan Stevens – and their adult children Acacia Naree Stevens, Therese Maria Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, Camellia Claire Stevens, and Alexander Francis Stevens.

Another couple – Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch and his wife Samantha Emily Schoenfisch – and a third woman, Keita Courtney Martin, are also charged with manslaughter.

None of the circle’s members has sought legal advice or representation, nor applied for bail.

Wednesday’s trial follows protracted legal reviews which have progressed through the Supreme Court since indictments were first presented last year.

Jason Struhs is charged with murder on the allegation he caused Elizabeth’s death by failing to provide her insulin and medical care and treatment, knowing it would probably cause her death.

Kerrie Struhs is charged with manslaughter on the allegation she failed to provide insulin to Elizabeth and/or did not provide medical care and treatment for her.

Brendan Stevens’ charge of murder relates to the allegation he counselled either or both Jason and Kerrie Struhs to cease providing Elizabeth insulin and/or medical care and treatment, knowing to do so would probably cause her death.

In the alternative, the Crown alleges Brendan Stevens aided or enabled either or both Jason Struhs and Kerrie Struhs to unlawfully kill Elizabeth by encouraging and supporting them to cease providing insulin to her, and/or not to provide medical care and treatment to her, knowing that would probably cause her death.

The other 11 defendants are charged with manslaughter on the allegation they “counselled and/or procured and/or aided Elizabeth’s parents … by their words and actions” to unlawfully kill Elizabeth.

It is understood the trial courtroom has been modified to accommodate all 14 defendants and allow them to meet each day before the trial.

The trial, before Supreme Court Justice Martin Burns, is scheduled to run for 55 days.