Queensland Mother Acquitted of Murdering Son with Drug-Laced Smoothie
Maree Mavis Crabtree, a 59-year-old Queensland mother, has been found not guilty of all charges, including murder, attempted murder, and fraud, by a jury in the Brisbane Supreme Court. Crabtree was accused of killing her 26-year-old son, Jonathan, with an overdose of prescription painkillers mixed into a smoothie in July 2017, allegedly to secure a $125,000 insurance payout and protect the family home from legal claims. The defense argued that Jonathan, who suffered from drug addiction and mental health issues following a traumatic brain injury, may have died from suicide or accidental overdose. They also suggested Crabtree’s daughter, Tara, might have framed their mother out of revenge. After deliberating for nearly two and a half days during the 19-day trial, the jury returned verdicts of not guilty. Justice Martin Burns formally acquitted Crabtree, praising the jury for their significant contribution. Crabtree declined to comment upon leaving the court, having pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings.
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Queensland Mother Acquitted of Murdering Son with Drug-Laced Smoothie
Maree Mavis Crabtree, a 59-year-old Queensland mother, has been found not guilty of all charges, including murder, attempted murder, and fraud, by a jury in the Brisbane Supreme Court. Crabtree was accused of killing her 26-year-old son, Jonathan, with an overdose of prescription painkillers mixed into a smoothie in July 2017, allegedly to secure a $125,000 insurance payout and protect the family home from legal claims. The defense argued that Jonathan, who suffered from drug addiction and mental health issues following a traumatic brain injury, may have died from suicide or accidental overdose. They also suggested Crabtree’s daughter, Tara, might have framed their mother out of revenge. After deliberating for nearly two and a half days during the 19-day trial, the jury returned verdicts of not guilty. Justice Martin Burns formally acquitted Crabtree, praising the jury for their significant contribution. Crabtree declined to comment upon leaving the court, having pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings.
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