Frances Crawford’s notes detail doubts before husband’s alleged staged mower death

Frances Crawford’s private notes, presented to a Brisbane Supreme Court jury, described her struggle over whether to remain with her unfaithful husband, Robert. He is accused of strangling her and staging her death to look like a ride-on mower accident at their Queensland property in July 2024; the notes and forensic evidence form part of the case.

Crawford’s list weighed religious hopes for repairing the marriage against feeling unsafe, concern about her relationship with her daughter and friends’ reactions. She had set boundaries and penalties for breaches. A forensic scientist discussed bloodstains on bathroom items and a rock wall, saying the wall evidence was consistent with either an injury there or a pre-existing one; the defence noted police had offered Robert a shower after he attended to his wife’s body.