Maree Mavis Crabtree has entered a not guilty plea regarding the murder of her son, Jonathan Crabtree, at their residence in Maudsland in July 2017.
During the ongoing trial presided over by Justice Martin Burns, a woman residing in the same community provided testimony concerning multiple discussions she reportedly had with Mrs. Crabtree, which she subsequently relayed to law enforcement following Mr. Crabtree’s passing.
Evidence presented to the jury indicates that the Gold Coast mother allegedly referred to her son using derogatory terms, stating he was a “potato” devoid of life and expressed a desire to add something to his drink to make him “not be here.”
Maree Crabtree has also refuted an earlier charge of attempted murder of the 26-year-old, as well as allegations of attempted fraud related to an insurance claim concerning his superannuation.
The prosecution has outlined its case, suggesting that Ms. Crabtree administered a lethal dose of prescription pain medication to her son. It is claimed that she incorporated Oxycodone into a blended beverage before presenting it to him.
On Friday, several individuals familiar with the Crabtree family took the stand, including Gemma Buchholz, who resides in the same estate. She was questioned about various conversations she claimed to have had with Ms. Crabtree prior to Mr. Crabtree’s death.
The court was informed that during one conversation, Ms. Crabtree allegedly remarked, “Jonathan is like a potato, he has no life, I just want to put something in his drink so he will just not be here.” Ms. Buchholz stated that this exchange occurred in 2017 during the summer months while they were outside.
Under cross-examination by Ms. Crabtree’s attorney, Ms. Buchholz faced scrutiny regarding discrepancies between her police statement and her notes about the conversation. The court learned that her notes indicated Ms. Crabtree had actually said, “Jonathan is a dud” who “won’t have children” and “I just want to slip something in his cup.”
When confronted with the variations in her account, Ms. Buchholz acknowledged she had been “a bit wrong” but maintained that the essence of what she reported remained similar and that this sentiment was expressed multiple times.
She admitted to having previously informed the police that this statement was made only once, but clarified that it was actually said in 2015 when Mr. Crabtree was in a coma following a self-harm incident.
Angus Edwards KC suggested that Ms. Buchholz may have altered her testimony due to a desire to implicate Maree Crabtree, a claim she rejected. Additionally, the court heard that Ms. Buchholz had reported to police that Ms. Crabtree allegedly commented on Mr. Crabtree’s supposed plan to harm his sister. The jury was also informed that on the day prior to his death, Ms. Crabtree allegedly arranged for changes to his insurance and superannuation plans.
