Key facts
- Accused
- Robyn Mary James, 67, pleads not guilty to manslaughter
- Victim
- Vicki Butler, 41, died on December 27, 2017
- Location
- Ipswich home, west of Brisbane
- Alleged cause
- Postpartum haemorrhage between 5am and 6.42am
- Ambulance call
- Made at 6.42am, about 90 minutes after James arrived
- Child
- The newborn survived
Background
Robyn Mary James, 67, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after Vicki Butler died on the day she gave birth at her Ipswich home, west of Brisbane, on December 27, 2017.
It is alleged Ms Butler, 41, died from a postpartum haemorrhage suffered between James's arrival at 5am and when the doctor called an ambulance more than 90 minutes later at 6.42am.
The trial opened in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday, with the jury hearing the triple-zero call made by James after the home birth.
Current situation
During the call, James described herself as a friend of Ms Butler and not her GP. The operator gave detailed instructions on how to perform CPR, and James was heard repeatedly yelling at Ms Butler to rouse her after she lost consciousness.
When the operator asked if Ms Butler was breathing, James replied: "I don't know." Photos from Ms Butler's phone showed she gave birth between 3.22am and 4.07am.
Ms Butler initially called James at 3am saying her waters had broken and she felt something was wrong. James arrived two hours later, and the court heard Ms Butler and her child appeared to be doing well, but the mother later deteriorated.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 3:00am | Ms Butler called James, waters broken, felt something wrong |
| 5:00am | James arrived at Ms Butler's home |
| 3:22am–4:07am | Ms Butler gave birth (per phone photos) |
| 6:42am | James called an ambulance |
| 6:50am | Ambulance officers arrived; Ms Butler not breathing, faint pulse |
Impacts
The prosecution alleges James was criminally negligent in delaying emergency assistance and breached her duty of care by failing to recognise symptoms of postpartum haemorrhage and its potentially fatal consequences.
James attended without her doctor's bag containing her stethoscope or blood pressure monitor. Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings told the jury: "She had nothing."
When James called an ambulance about 90 minutes later, Ms Butler yelled from the bathroom not to do so, saying she did not want to go to hospital. By the time officers arrived at 6.50am, Ms Butler was in the bath, not breathing, with a faint pulse. Paramedic Ivana Vidler said water was washing Ms Butler's blood down the drain before she and a colleague intervened.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
The trial, before Justice Elizabeth Watson, continues. Defence barrister Craig Eberhardt KC urged the jury to listen carefully and with an open mind, saying: "Ms James is not here because she's alleged to have done something wrong, but because the prosecution alleges she should have done something. It is easy to idealise in hindsight."
If the jury finds James guilty of manslaughter, she could face a significant prison sentence, though the specific penalty range remains unclear. If acquitted, she would be cleared of all charges.
The case may also prompt broader scrutiny of home birth practices and the responsibilities of medical practitioners attending such births, but any such impact remains speculative at this stage.
Source: bendigoadvertiser.com.au
