Jury hears of lie-detector tests in lawn-mower murder trial

Robert John Crawford, 49, a former RAAF pilot, is accused of murdering his wife Frances at the couple's Upper Lockyer property near Toowoomba in the early hours of July 30, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty at his Brisbane Supreme Court trial, which continued on Monday.

Prosecutors allege Crawford strangled his wife then staged her death to make it appear she had fallen from the ride-on mower. The court has heard him described by the prosecutor as a “love rat”.

The couple had attended psychotherapy sessions with Dr Fakhrolsadat Seyed Aghamiri from October 2023 to late July 2024. Aghamiri testified that Frances Crawford sought out her services specifically for her husband to undergo a polygraph test.

"She wanted therapeutic disclosure to find out exactly what had been happening throughout the marriage," Aghamiri told the jury. "She said she had made lots and lots of discoveries and she was very uncertain as 'the more I dig, the more there is I find out'."

During the sessions, Crawford provided a multi-page disclosure document detailing sexual affairs, emotional infidelity, financial deception and pornography use over a five-year period. Aghamiri said Frances was not sure the truth would be disclosed "so she was adamant that she wanted the polygraph test to verify the disclosure".

The court heard a first polygraph test returned inconclusive results, and Crawford asked to repeat it, claiming he had been nervous. He later told Aghamiri he had researched polygraphs and how to beat the test.

Aghamiri described Crawford as sometimes crying during sessions and saying he loved his wife and was trying to reconcile the marriage with God's help. At other times he appeared to lack empathy and remorse, claiming his wife had brainwashed his adult children and made him "look like a monster". "He said she wants to ruin me professionally, wants to ruin my reputation and wants to take my money," Aghamiri said.

The final session took place on July 25, 2024, with Crawford joining late by phone because he was busy at work. "I told him 'you know your wife is planning to leave the marriage permanently and you are talking about work'," Aghamiri said. "He said it was not a good day."

The jury heard that Frances Crawford was working on an "exit plan" for her marriage separation. "She said I have to be very, very careful to keep the status quo and not rock the boat otherwise he will not leave the house," Aghamiri said.

Earlier, the jury heard from RAAF officer Melinda Russell, who was Crawford's deputy. Crawford had texted Russell about his wife wanting him to take long service leave. "Why, so you can yell at me every day?" Crawford texted. Russell said they discussed de-escalation tips.