The trial of 14 members of an Australian religious group, known as The Saints, has begun in Brisbane Supreme Court, with two men charged with murder and the others with manslaughter in the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs.
Elizabeth, a diabetic child, was found dead at a home in Toowoomba after allegedly going without insulin for almost a week. Prosecutors claim that the group, including Elizabeth’s parents, chose to pray for her healing instead of seeking medical help as her health deteriorated.
In a highly unusual case, all 14 defendants have elected to represent themselves in court, refusing lawyers and entering a formal plea of not guilty. The trial, expected to last around three months, will be heard by a judge only, with no jury present due to the complexity and notoriety of the case.
Prosecutor Caroline Marco described Elizabeth as an “intelligent, spiritual child” who tragically paid with her life for her parents’ decision to withhold insulin from her. The group, including Elizabeth’s father and the religious leader, are accused of encouraging or instructing the others to deny medical care to the child.
As the trial unfolds, the courtroom has been specially modified to accommodate all the defendants, who sat at long tables in prison khakis and blue uniforms. The case has sparked public outrage and drawn attention to the issue of religious beliefs conflicting with medical treatment in cases of serious illness.
