Mason Lee’s mother to stand trial for his murder

The judge found there was enough evidence for Mason Lee’s accusers, including his mother, to stand trial.

Brisbane District Court has heard further shocking details about the 21-month-old boy’s death at his home in Caboolture last year, with his mother Anne Maree Lee, stepfather William Andrew O’Sullivan and Ryan Hodson charged with murder.

Doctors believe Mason Lee was in a state of despair, misery and pain before he died at his home 50km north of Brisbane.

Sheila Low, Hodgson’s ex-girlfriend, testified just days before the tragedy, expressing concern for the child.

“Will had Child Safety inspect the home… they were supposed to check on the child but they didn’t,” she said.

“He rubbed vomit all over his face. I told him he “needed to go to the hospital.”

Ryan Hodgson’s lawyer has called O’Sullivan a “tyrant” and a “man lagging behind Ryan”.

Mason had a number of hospital stays last year, spending three weeks in Caboolture Hospital and Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital with a leg infection and nappy rash.

One pediatrician testified, “I have never seen such a severe rash.”

On June 7, he missed an urgent hospital appointment in Caboolture but was spotted with his mother at Morayfield Shopping Centre. He died just three days later.

Anne Maree Lee’s lawyer made a last-minute bid to have the murder charge dismissed, arguing there was insufficient evidence to prove she caused the fatal abdominal injury to her son.

The judge dismissed the motion before ordering a jury to decide the fate of the trio.