Australian sect members guilty in girl’s death
BBC News, Sydney
Jayde Struhs14 members of Australian religious groups were convicted Killing an eight -year -old diabetes girl was rejected for nearly a week.
Elizabeth Struhs suffered from diabetic ketoacidic acid poisoning and died at home in 2022, leading to fatal blood sugar.
The court was informed that Elizabeth’s treatment was banned because the group, known as the saints against medical services, and believed that God would heal her.
Her father Jason Struhs and the organization’s leader Brendan Stevens was tried for murder, but was convicted of murder. Twelve members, including Elizabeth’s mother and brother, were also convicted of losing homicide. Everyone does not plead guilty.
Judge Martin Bernes said in a judgment of nearly 500 pages on Wednesday that although Elizabeth’s parents and “every member of the church, including all other defendants, obviously worshiped her, their behavior led her to her Death.
He said: “There is no doubt that Elizabeth has been carefully taken care of in almost all aspects.”
“However, because she has a strange conviction in God’s healing ability … She was deprived of one thing that can definitely make her alive.”
The trial trial of the Supreme Court of Queensland began in July last year and lasted for several months.
The prosecutor called 60 witnesses and painted a photo of a “smart” child. She suffered great pain in the last few days.
Prosecutor Caroline Marco said, “She was described as a little speech, she needs to help go to the toilet and incontinence.”
At the same time, the congregation prayed and sang for Elizabeth. When she was lying on the mattress on the floor of the house of about 125 kilometers (78 miles) west of Brisbane, his health was deteriorating.
However, the court was informed that the authorities were not notified until she died 36 hours, and did not work hard to call doctors because the organization thought she could be reborn.
14 to the 67 -year -old 14 defendants represented themselves in the trial and rejected legal representatives or signed requests. The court was required to represent their innocent request.
The court was informed that most of the groups were accused because they had consulted or helped her father decide to detain Elizabeth’s insulin.
Prosecutor said that Jason Struhs, 53, is much later than 49 -year -old wife Kerrie Struhs. He used to support Medicine for Elizabeth.
They argued that he later changed his mind, and eventually he knew that the decision would end his daughter’s life, and the 63 -year -old leader Brendan Stevens was the same.
Jason Struhs said he and Elizabeth agreed to “stop insulin” together, and he said his daughter would be resurrected.
He told the court: “Elizabeth is just sleeping, and I will see her again.”
The court was informed that Stevens defended a faith -based behavior and described the trial as “religious persecution”.
He said that the organization’s right to “fully believe in God’s Word”, and they did not make a request decision because the congregation had no intention of fighting for the law to fight against the law. “
Judge Bernus found that Jason Struhs and Stevens could not be sentenced to murder because the prosecution failed to prove that the two intend to kill or cause serious physical damage to Elizabeth Essence
He ruled, but all 14 defendants committed homicide because they were involved in crimes that caused her death together.
