Leader of group charged over eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs's death says case is 'religious persecution' - ABC News

Brendan Luke Stevens told the court the group has a right to believe "in the word of God completely". (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)

In short:

The 14 members of the religious group, two of which have been charged with murder, are representing themselves at the Supreme Court in Brisbane.

The court also heard testimony from first responders.

What's next?

The trial continues on Monday next week.

The self-proclaimed leader of a religious group accused of causing the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs has told a court the case against them is "religious persecution" and that the defendants don't care what judgement is delivered.

Elizabeth, a type 1 diabetic, died in her Toowoomba home between January 6 and January 7, 2022, after her insulin was withheld.

Elizabeth Struhs died in Toowoomba in January 2022. She is pictured here with her older sister Jayde.(Supplied)

Two members of the group – Elizabeth's father Jason Richard Struhs and the religious group's leader Brendan Luke Stevens – are charged with murder while 12 others, including Elizabeth's mother Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs and older brother Zachary Alan Struhs, are charged with manslaughter.

"We don't come to fight the charge because the charge is one that is completely contrary to God and we have no intention of fighting the law," 62-year-old Mr Stevens told the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Friday.

"We are being used; we are happy in that sense to suffer the persecution that has come to us because the Bible says that all that believe in God will be persecuted."

Eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs died after her insulin was withheld for days out of her family's belief God would heal her. (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)

Mr Stevens said they do not wish to fight their murder and manslaughter charges, which is why they did not apply for bail or have legal representation.

He said the group had "chosen to walk with God".

"This is a religious persecution … We believe in the word of God," Mr Stevens said.

"This is a charge against believing in God."

He said the Bible was filled with Jesus Christ working miracles.

"Every person that came to Jesus for a healing was healed … We are within our rights to believe in the word of God completely as we do," Mr Stevens said.

It is the third day of the group's trial after a lengthy opening address from the Crown.

Religious leader wants 'perspective' heard

Mr Stevens had, prior to his statement, told the judge the group wanted to present a narrative of "who and what we are" and why they were in this situation. 

"We would like to present our perspective obviously," he told the judge. 

"This sort of thing has never happened before … the fact that there is 14 of us, co-accused, in a religious matter, self-representing. We would like to at least present the perspective that we believe it would be important for you to understand before we begin."

The 14 members of the religious group are representing themselves. (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)

The court also heard from first responders who arrived at the Struhs's home after a triple-0 call was made on January 8. 

Ambulance officer Michelle King said she was told by Mr Struhs that Elizabeth had died the previous morning. 

Asked why he hadn't rung emergency services earlier, he replied "We were praying that God will bring her back". 

"He seemed very calm and collected throughout … no outward displays of grief or emotion as I would expect," Ms King told the court. 

Elizabeth's father Jason Richard Struhs, 52, is charged with murder. (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)

Body worn camera footage of a police officer speaking to the daughter of Mr Stevens, Therese Stevens, was also played to the court. 

Ms Stevens is charged with manslaughter. 

Singing could be heard in the background as she told officers: "We believe that God raises people from the dead, no matter what time frame. We believe that she will come back ... she is sleeping". 

The court was previously told the group sang and prayed over Elizabeth's body for 36 hours after she died. 

Evidence, including handwritten notes found at the home read Elizabeth would be healed by God, and photographs of a whiteboard calendar which read that the child was healed and only sleeping, were submitted to the court. 

The trial continues on Monday. 

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2024-07-12 07:39:34Z
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