Robert John Crawford on trial for wife's death found under ride-on mower
Former RAAF pilot Crawford pleaded not guilty; his children testified his wife never operated the ride-on mower she was found crushed beneath.
Robert John Crawford, 49, stands trial for allegedly murdering his wife Frances. Frances was found beneath a ride-on mower on July 30, 2024.
A paramedic testified he arrived at 4am and found Crawford performing what he described as ineffective CPR on her body. Crawford and the mower both felt cold to the touch.
Crawford's two adult children told the court their mother never used the ride-on mower. His son said she had friends bring a push mower instead.
His daughter testified her mother had reunited with Crawford after planning to separate due to his infidelity. She felt distressed for her mother's safety.
Crawford told paramedics he had gone out looking for his wife after waking to find her missing from bed.
Why it mattersThe trial hinges on whether Frances used the mower, and the paramedic's observations about her body's temperature and his ineffective CPR technique may influence how the jury assesses Crawford's account of finding her.
AustraliaA murder trial in Brisbane Supreme Court examining contradictory evidence about how a woman died on a family property, watched closely by Queenslanders following domestic violence and suspicious death cases.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
