Former RAAF pilot who allegedly murdered wife was ‘love rat’ and ‘master manipulator’, jury hears
Summary
A Brisbane Supreme Court jury heard prosecutors allege that former RAAF pilot Robert John Crawford killed his wife, Frances, and staged her death to look accidental. Crawford has pleaded not guilty; the trial is expected to hear from up to 47 witnesses over three weeks.Key Facts
- Frances Crawford’s body was found near a ride-on lawnmower at the bottom of a retaining wall on the couple’s rural property near Toowoomba.
- Prosecutor Chris Cook said the alleged murder occurred amid a relationship breakdown and that Crawford stood to lose financially in a divorce.
- The prosecution alleges Crawford caused his wife’s death by strangulation or blunt-force trauma.
- The court was told the couple were close to divorce and that Frances had set boundaries concerning infidelity and other behavior.
- Four women with whom Crawford allegedly had affairs are expected to testify.
- The jury is due to visit the alleged crime scene on Wednesday.
- Crawford’s defence barrister had not yet made an opening statement.
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