Overview
- Robert Crawford has pleaded not guilty and is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court over the July 30, 2024 death of his wife Frances Crawford.
- Forensic pathologist Dr Andrzej Kedziora told jurors that the pattern of neck and eye petechial haemorrhages and the head wounds were difficult to reconcile with a lawnmower accident and can be seen with asphyxia including strangulation.
- Detectives conceded they only visually inspected the property’s automatic and grey-water sprinkler systems and did not run them with water to test whether they would have operated as the defence says.
- A sprinkler sales manager told the court the system’s control box was set to manual/test rather than auto run, meaning the pop-up sprinklers would not send water unless manually started.
- Prosecutors have argued long-term affairs and a risk of major financial loss in a divorce as motive, and the jury has visited the Crawford home with further cross-examination and evidence expected through mid-to-late November.