Robert John Crawford trial: Former RAAF pilot a 'love rat' and 'master manipulator', jury hears

The trial of Robert John Crawford, a 49-year-old former RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford, has begun in Toowoomba. The prosecution alleges Crawford staged his wife's death to look like an accident involving a ride-on lawnmower on their Upper Lockyer property on 29 July 2024. The jury heard Crawford was a 'love rat' and 'master manipulator' who killed his wife and then attempted to cover up the crime. Crawford has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The case has drawn significant attention due to Crawford's military background and the alleged deceit involved. As the trial proceeds, the court will examine evidence about the couple's relationship and the circumstances leading to Frances Crawford's death. The outcome may hinge on whether the prosecution can prove Crawford's intent beyond a reasonable doubt.