Major update in case against air force pilot charged with the murder of his wife following a suspected mower ‘accident’
Prosecutors have unveiled a major development in their case against an Air Force pilot accused of murdering his wife after a suspected riding mower “accident.”
Robert John Crawford has been in custody for the past month since he was charged with murdering his wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford, at their Upper Lockyer property in Queensland in July.
Mrs Crawford, 49, was found dead at the foot of a retaining wall at the rear of the property, near a riding mower.
Police charged Crawford, 46, on Oct. 10 with murder and misconduct with a corpse, alleging he moved his wife’s body on or around the same date.
In a further mention on Friday, prosecutor Chris Cook said 65 witness statements had been provided to Mr Crawford’s lawyer, Andrew McGuinness.
Ipswich Magistrates Court was told further evidence would be received in the coming weeks, including an ‘expert report in biomedical technology’.
A pathology certificate would also have to be made in January, Mr Cook said.
Mr Cook said samples had been delivered to Forensic Services Queensland for DNA testing, but he clarified there was no estimated return date due to known issues with DNA testing.
Frances Elizabeth Crawford (pictured) was found dead at the foot of a retaining wall at the back of the couple’s Upper Lockyer estate, in southeast Queensland, in July.
βIn summary, we expect a complete review of the evidence by February,β he said.
βBut we will continue to release material as we receive it.β
Mr McGuinness told the court the brief was ‘little’ and ‘almost without any information’ to support the murder charge.
He said no forensic evidence or cause of death had been provided.
Mr McGuinness said there was clearly more information in the prosecutor’s possession that needed to be made public.
Air Force pilot Robert John Crawford (pictured) has been in custody for the past month after being charged with murdering his wife
The court was told the letter referred to ‘evidence of inconsistencies with the suspect’s versions of the scene’ and the injuries suffered by the victim.
Mr McGuinness said the letter said it was supported by forensic evidence and “activity on electronic devices”, which he said had not been made public.
The case was adjourned to November 8 for further hearing.
Mr Crawford has also filed a bail application in the High Court, which will be heard in Brisbane on November 14.
Emergency services found Ms Crawford at the foot of the retaining wall of her property at around 3.40am on July 30.
Mr Crawford had called triple-0 and initially assisted police with their investigation.