A Mother’s Trial: Alleged Poisoning of Her Son
A Gold Coast mother is set to face trial for allegedly poisoning her son with a lethal dose of medication hidden in a juice, over ten years after the incident. Maree Crabtree is charged with murder, attempted murder, and attempted fraud, all related to the death of her adult son, Jonathan Crabtree. The case has drawn significant public attention, with the trial now underway in Brisbane Supreme Court.
Ms Crabtree arrived at court early on Tuesday morning, accompanied by supporters and her legal team. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include one count each of murder (domestic violence), attempted murder (domestic violence), and attempted fraud involving property valued at least $100,000.
Refusal to Perform CPR
One of the most chilling aspects of the case is the triple-0 call made by Ms Crabtree on the morning she discovered her son’s body. The audio of this call was played to the jury, revealing that Ms Crabtree told the operator she did not know if her son was breathing. “I think he’s dead,” she said repeatedly, adding, “He’s cold and he won’t move.”
In the recording, the operator urged Ms Crabtree to perform CPR on Jonathan, but she refused, citing a bad back. When asked if anyone nearby could help, she claimed she would find a neighbor and then hung up the call.
Defence Claims of “Black Humour”
Defence barrister Angus Edward KC presented his opening argument to the jury late on Tuesday afternoon. He argued that Ms Crabtree’s actions should be viewed within the context of her difficult life circumstances. “Maybe she resorted to some black humour from time to time – that is a question for you,” he said.
Mr. Edwards highlighted the challenges of parenting a son who was violent, suicidal, and a drug addict. He suggested that Jonathan may have deliberately ended his own life or died unintentionally due to medication errors. “There is no doubt that Jonathan had a drug overdose,” he said, “but what led to it?”
The defence also questioned the credibility of Tara Crabtree, the prosecution’s key witness. Mr. Edwards urged the jury to scrutinize her motives and whether she had lied to police. “Is she an honest person?” he asked. “Has she always told the same story?”
Tense Relationship and Prosecution Evidence
Prosecutor Caroline Marco outlined the prosecution’s case, emphasizing the tense relationship between Ms Crabtree and her son. She revealed that Ms Crabtree had once told a friend, “Jonathan is like a potato; he has no life and I just want to put something in his drink so he just won’t be here.”
The prosecution also alleged that Ms Crabtree wished Jonathan had died in a car accident in 2015. They claimed she believed Jonathan was controlling her and that she lived in fear of him. Evidence will show that Jonathan’s friends thought he was depressed after the death of his sister, Erin, in 2012, but had shown signs of improvement before his death.
Deliberate Killing and Financial Motive
Ms Marco argued that Ms Crabtree intentionally killed her son by feeding him a lethal dose of prescription medication hidden in a fruit juice. She noted that Ms Crabtree waited hours before calling for help, despite knowing her son was already dead. Paramedics found clear signs of rigor mortis, indicating he had been dead for several hours.
The prosecution also suggested that financial gain was a motive. Ms Crabtree reportedly told others that Jonathan was “difficult and abusive” and that his involvement in a robbery had caused financial strain. She allegedly believed that killing Jonathan was the only way to avoid paying for his share of the family home.
Lethal Dose of Oxycodone
During her opening address, Ms Marco informed the jury that evidence would show Jonathan died from a lethal dose of oxycodone found in his system. The prosecution claims that Ms Crabtree prepared a poisoned drink using a blender and gave it to Jonathan.
Tara Crabtree, the younger sister, is expected to testify that she helped her mother by keeping watch while the drink was prepared. She will also describe hearing Jonathan cough and struggle during the night.
Evidence will also show that oxycodone was found in Tara’s room and in the kitchen, linking it to a prescription given to her in June 2017. A blender used to prepare the drink was also found to contain traces of the same drug.
Trial Details and Witnesses
Justice Martin Burns addressed the jury, reminding them of their responsibility to base their verdict solely on the evidence presented. He warned against discussing the case outside the courtroom, as it could jeopardize the trial.
The trial is expected to last five weeks, with over 60 witnesses set to give evidence. These include pharmacists, chemists, neighbours, friends, and police. The jury selection process began on Tuesday, with twelve jurors and three reserve jurors chosen.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Ms Crabtree has consistently denied the allegations against her. The trial will examine her alleged role in her son’s death, with the jury set to hear from both the prosecution and the defence. The highly anticipated case is expected to run for just over three weeks, with the final verdict to be delivered after all evidence has been presented.
