Trial Begins for Husband Accused of Staging Wife's Mower Accident
Robert Crawford faces murder charges after his wife was found dead under a lawnmower.
1The Alleged Staged Accident
Robert Crawford, 49, is on trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court for the murder of his wife, Frances. Prosecutors allege he killed her and staged the scene to look like a late-night lawnmower accident. The incident occurred on July 30, 2024, at their isolated property in the Upper Lockyer region.
2Troubled Marital History
Frances Crawford’s notes revealed a complex marriage marked by infidelity and distrust. She had previously evicted her husband after contracting chlamydia from him. Despite her concerns, she struggled with the decision to leave, citing financial ties to their $2 million property and a desire to maintain her family's unity.
3Strict Surveillance Measures
To manage her husband’s serial philandering, Frances imposed strict conditions, including mandatory polygraph testing. Evidence presented to the jury suggests Crawford boasted to a female friend that he could successfully deceive these tests. Her sister testified that Frances openly described their marriage as being in a state of disrepair.
4The 22-Minute Emergency Call
On the night of her death, Crawford called triple zero, claiming he was struggling to free his wife from beneath a ride-on mower. Paramedics arrived to find signs of rigor mortis already present. Children of the couple testified that they had never seen their mother operate the lawnmower in question.
5Fabricated Digital Evidence
Prosecutors allege Crawford fabricated text messages sent on July 29 to create an alibi regarding the mower's location. He reportedly told another pilot that Frances attempted to move the machine herself. The prosecution characterizes Crawford as a master manipulator who used his professional background to cover his tracks.
6Forensic Pathological Findings
Pathologist Andrzej Kedziora testified that Frances’ injuries are inconsistent with a mower falling on her. He identified petechial haemorrhages in her eyelids, which indicate increased blood pressure often associated with asphyxia or strangulation. Forensic scientist Owen Esaias also discovered blood droplets on a towel and bath mat inside the home.
7Defense Strategy and Counterclaims
Defense barrister Saul Holt KC acknowledges his client’s history of serial infidelity but argues this does not prove he is a killer. The defense maintains that Crawford was genuinely attempting to rescue his wife from under the steering wheel of the mower when he discovered her body on that cold night.
8Safety Concerns and Conclusion
Frances had previously expressed that she did not feel safe with her husband, even reporting him to police during a prior separation. As the trial continues, the jury must weigh the forensic evidence of asphyxia against the defense's narrative of a tragic accident occurring on their remote, off-grid family property.
Original article: PerthNow — Trial Begins for Husband Accused of Staging Wife's Mower Accident