A member of a small religious cult accused of killing an eight-year-old diabetic girl by withholding the child’s insulin medication claimed the group “followed the Bible”.
Lachlan Stuart Schoenfisch’s comments during court proceedings can be revealed as he and 13 others prepare to stand trial in the Supreme Court, accused of causing the death of Toowoomba girl Elizabeth Struhs two years ago.
Mr Schoenfisch and his wife, Samantha Emily Schoenfisch, are members of a tightly-knit religious circle known as The Saints, based out of Toowoomba.
The other 12 members include Elizabeth’s parents Jason Richard Struhs and Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, older brother Zachary Alan Struhs, Brendan Luke Stevens, Loretta Mary Stevens, Acacia Naree Stevens, Therese Maria Stevens, Sebastian James Stevens, Andrea Louise Stevens, Camellia Claire Stevens, Alexander Francis Stevens and Keita Courtney Martin.
Brendan Stevens and Jason Struhs have both been indicted on charges of murder, while the other 12 have been indicted on charges of manslaughter only.
The Crown alleges the group – who believe in the healing power of God and shun medical intervention in human life – withheld Elizabeth’s medication for her Type 1 diabetes for days at her family’s Rangeville home.
It is alleged the group instead opted to pray for God to heal the girl instead of seeking medical help, until she died on January 7.
In court documents obtained by NCA NewsWire, Mr Schoenfisch is alleged to have told police the girl’s “eternal life is more important”.
A transcript of committal proceedings on November 16, 2022, reveals Mr Schoenfisch claimed the fellowship followed the teachings of the Bible “which doesn’t say anything about calling doctors”.
“It says pray, lay hands on the sick and the prayer of faith will save the sick,” the transcript states Mr Schoenfisch told Toowoomba Magistrates Court.
“So we did, as far as the Bible is concerned, everything.”
“And we never at any point believed or did believe or still do believe, that (Elizabeth) would die or that she is dead. That is not what we believe.”
According to the transcript, Mr Schoenfisch tells Magistrate Louise Shepherd the group only ever had “love” for the girl and claimed she was “being tormented daily, being forced to take this stuff against her will”.
He claims murder was “always having hate in your heart towards your fellow man … as far as God is concerned”.
“The law which we have now, such as it is, originated with the law given by Moses, which was brought forward to teach people how – the heart they’re supposed to have towards God and their fellow man,” Mr Schoenfisch said.
“The law has been gradually eroded and corrupted and changes on a weekly basis.
“We just wanted to give her the chance to follow her religious beliefs, which is the same as our religious beliefs.
“And if a court or a jury or a judge decides that that’s murder, so be it.”
According to police allegations in the court documents, Mr Schoenfisch understood the child had diabetes and needed multiple injections per day, otherwise her “physical body might die”.
The group told Jason they did not like the insulin because of their beliefs.
The documents allege Jason struggled with the decision to stop giving his daughter her medication – to which Mr Schoenfisch “encouraged him” by “suggesting he pray in the Holy Spirit … and be willing to be led of the spirit and sing praises to God”.
It is alleged Elizabeth became ill after her insulin was ceased in early 2022.
Mr Schoenfisch allegedly said it was an “unexpected development” as the fellowship believed she had been healed.
Members of the group – including Mr Schoenfisch and his wife – were called to the Struhs’ home to pray and “sing praise to God” over several days.
The documents allege Mr Schoenfisch stated he continued support Jason to remain “steadfast” in his decision to stop the medication because: “The truth is the spirit and the world and body is temporary. Everyone dies and it does not matter. The most important thing is to serve God.”
It is alleged he prepared fruit for the girl, helping her go to the toilet and sat her up and gave her water.
“In his electronic record of interview, Mr Schoenfisch was asked why he watched (her) die over those days, knowing she needed insulin to live … (he) replied: Because eternal life is more important,” the documents allege.
Mr Schoenfisch, who was initially charged with murder, was committed to stand trial following the hearing.
He is now only facing a charge of manslaughter.
A judge-only Supreme Court trial for the 14-co-accused was ordered by Chief Justice Helen Bowskill on November 28 last year.
Since their arrests, all 14 members of the group have refused to seek legal advice and maintained they will represent themselves.
None have applied for bail.