Trial of Maree Mavis Crabtree Continues in Brisbane Supreme Court

A trial is underway in the Brisbane Supreme Court for Maree Mavis Crabtree, 59, who is accused of murdering her 26-year-old son, Jonathan Crabtree, on July 19, 2017. The prosecution alleges she administered a fatal overdose of the painkiller oxycodone, hidden in a fruit smoothie, at the family home north of the Gold Coast. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and fraud related to an alleged $125,000 insurance claim. The trial before Justice Martin Burns is expected to last several more weeks.

The Charges and Core Allegations

Maree Mavis Crabtree faces three charges:

• Murder: The prosecution alleges she killed her son, Jonathan Crabtree, on July 19, 2017, by giving him a fruit smoothie containing a lethal dose of oxycodone.
• Attempted Murder: She is also accused of attempting to murder Jonathan in January 2017.
• Fraud: Following Jonathan's death, she is alleged to have made a dishonest insurance claim for $125,000 against his superannuation fund.

A pathologist determined the cause of Jonathan Crabtree's death was an excessive amount of oxycodone in his bloodstream.

Key Testimony from Witnesses

The jury has heard testimony from several witnesses, including Jonathan Crabtree's sister and former partner.

• Tara Crabtree, Jonathan's sister, testified under a grant of immunity from prosecution.
• She stated she acted as a "lookout" while her mother allegedly crushed prescription painkillers and anti-anxiety tablets and added the powder, along with liquid oxycodone, to a fruit smoothie for Jonathan on July 18, 2017.
• She testified to hearing Jonathan struggling after consuming the drink but said her mother told her not to interfere.
• Tara Crabtree stated she arranged for a friend to delete Facebook Messenger conversations related to her brother's death, citing the friend's concerns about police handling her phone.
• Under cross-examination, she acknowledged telling "half truth, half lies" about the possibility of her brother's suicide in the two years after his death. Defence barrister Angus Edwards questioned whether her decision to change her story to police was motivated by concerns about being removed from the house deed.

• Rebekah Millard, who was in a relationship with Jonathan Crabtree from 2012 for 18 months, testified.
• She stated Jonathan had a drug overdose approximately eight months into their relationship.
• Millard said he regularly used the prescription drug tramadol but did not mention oxycodone.
• She agreed she had previously stated in court that Jonathan said he took an overdose because he "could not handle it anymore," though she could not recall the statement during this testimony.
• She described him as having "wild mood swings" and frequently threatening suicide.

• Vicki Inglis, a neighbor, testified about conversations with Maree Crabtree before Jonathan's death.
• Inglis stated that Crabtree said Jonathan was "eating her out of house and home" and had the "brain capacity of a six-year-old."
• Inglis testified that Crabtree said Jonathan owned the house and she could not get him to leave.
• Inglis stated that on multiple occasions over several months, Crabtree talked about putting something in one of Jonathan's syringes while discussing seeing him inject drugs in his bedroom.
• When asked by defence counsel if Crabtree said the reason was to harm him, Inglis answered, "No."

Background on Jonathan Crabtree

The court heard background information describing Jonathan Crabtree as a "troubled man" with abusive behaviors who used drugs. Specific details presented include:

• He had been charged with robbing a chemist; the charge was discharged after his death.
• A car crash in June 2015 left him with permanent injuries requiring physical care.
• He lived in the house in Maudsland with his mother and sister, Tara. Testimony indicated he co-owned the home with his sister.

Prosecution and Defence Positions

The Crown alleges Maree Crabtree deliberately administered the overdose. Prosecutors cite the testimony about preparing the smoothie, the alleged prior attempt in January, and statements about Jonathan's impact on the household as evidence of motive.

Defence barrister Angus Edwards has suggested alternative scenarios to the jury. He stated that Jonathan Crabtree might have accidentally or deliberately given himself too much medication. The defence has questioned the credibility and motives of Tara Crabtree's testimony, noting it emerged more than two years after her brother's death and that she is the only person directly accusing her mother.

Trial Proceedings

The trial continues before Justice Martin Burns and is scheduled to run for several more weeks. The court expects to hear from dozens of additional witnesses.