The retrial of former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins has been aborted and the charges dropped, because of serious concerns about Higgins' mental health. In addition, Mr Lehrmann will also consider launching a formal professional complaint against Mr Drumgold over comments made in his press conference last Friday. On this particular matter, we need to keep them up to their mandate as prescribed under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 and Australian Federal Police Regulations 2018. Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann will not face a second rape trial, after prosecutors dropped the case because of . Cash not flowing?Explore your options with RSM, Canberra & Queanbeyan'smost respected lawyers150 years strong. During his police interview, Mr Lehrmann said Ms Higgins also mentioned she needed to return to the office, an assertion she rejected. Mr Lehrmanns barrister, Steven Whybrow, declined to comment on the case being dropped. ', Through tears, Ms Higgins (pictured on Thursday) repeatedly told the court that Mr Whybrow's statements were incorrect, The case was colloquially dubbed 'The Higgins Trial', but Ms Higgins (pictured on Thursday) was never on trial. It also included an analysis of the reasons for false complaints and why some are sceptical of true complaints. 23:58 GMT 06 Dec 2022. I remember her pulling herself back up onto the couch.. Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann, pictured in October 2022. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Read our privacy policy for more info. Wife is shocked after husband of 15 years asks for permission to have an affair: 'I don't know what to do'. All rights reserved. It comes as Ms Higgins marked her 28th birthday on Wednesday with a coffee delivered to her in a hospital ward by her boyfriend David Sharaz. Kangaroo Court of Australia is an independent website and is reliant on donations to keep publishing so please click on the Patreon button below and support independent journalism. Hes probably fled to Greenland by now, maybe a couple of AFP plods could track him in about 10 years. Especially toting a gun on the hip. A minute later, she sent another text suggesting messages between Ms Higgins and another staffer who was also a witness in the case would be revealing. ', The mood was tense when Justice Lucy McCallum (pictured, during a previous case) entered the court just after 9.45am on Thursday. He said his world had been rocked when he was named in the media, and he had thought about taking his own life because of what his barrister had labelled trial by media. All The Funniest Reactions To Facebook And Instagram Shutting Down For Six Hours Brittany is in hospital getting the treatment and support she needs, Ms Webster said. Thanks, keep up the good work. He argued that its probative value was far outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to his client, because Lehrmann had no chance to put his position about the allegation to the jury in interview form. By Instead, defence lawyer Steven Whybrow made a statement on his behalf: 'We're disappointed by what happened but it would be inappropriate and irresponsible to say anything at this stage.'. Justice McCallum said she gave the jury 'at least 17 warnings' during the course of the trial not to find their own evidence. This was at a time when the Japanese whaling fleet were operating in the Southern Ocean (Australian Sector) and there was a peaceful demonstration and presentation outside that building. Expert strata, facilitiesand building management services. Mr Lehrmann denied the allegations and no findings were made against him. Brittany Higgins' credibility and truthfulness were continually questioned during Steven Whybrow's(pictured) closing arguments, Bruce Lehrmann (centre) pleaded not guilty to a single charge of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent after being charged in August 2021. He only entered politics a short time ago. Our services are provided with an unparalleled standard of care, and our dedication to each and every patient has earned us a reputation for clinical excellence and award-winning care. McCallum said the paper could have been used to influence jurors either way in the case. I dont think any one of these specimens of manhood (AFP) could run 100m at full tilt to save themselves. This brings the prosecution to an end.'. 2-min read. Mr Drumgold said he had acted after receiving medical reports warning of the possible impact of the retrial on Ms Higgins' health. The lawyers said the apology imputed the accused with guilt of the offence or at least implicitly assumed the truthfulness of the complaint. Why cant the legal system find a way for victims to seek justice without publicly traumatising them? Lehrmann had maintained his innocence to allegations that he raped Higgins, a colleague and fellow political staffer, in the office of the then-defence industry minister, Linda Reynolds, in March 2019. Mr Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent, and vehemently denied having any sexual interaction with the former Liberal staffer during 12 explosive days of evidence. 'The evidence makes it clear that this is not limited to the harm of giving evidence in a witness box, rather applies whether or not the complainant is required to enter a witness box during a retrial. While its difficult the trial has ended this way, Brittanys health and safety must always come first, it said. Tha AFP are purely a political force. There are unverified claims he is in hospital but who knows if it is true and it is possibly a smokescreen. Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has had his rape charge dropped. Ms Higgins first alleged she was raped by a 'male colleague' during an interview with Ms Wilkinson in February 2021, which later won the current affairs program a Logie. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Bruce Lehrmann retrial wont proceed as prosecutors drop charges video, Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates. Heres The Correct Way To Binge The Marvel Cinematic Universe In Chronological Order Bruce Lehrmann (age 27) was born in a small American hamlet called College Station in June 1995, according to Crikey. Below is an edited valedictory statement that former Senator George Brandis gave on the 7th of February 2018 before he left for his new role in the UK. The prosecution said Mr Lehrmann had been attracted to Ms Higgins, took her to Parliament House to get her alone, and had sex with her without her consent because she was unconscious. A. A retrial of political staffer Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged rape of former colleague Brittany Higgins has officially been dropped by ACT prosecutors today.. ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold told reporters in Canberra this morning that the planned retrial of Bruce Lehrmann would be scrapped due to new medical evidence, citing the "significant and unacceptable" trauma the case would pose to . One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted? Funny about police incompetence, its just everywhere. 310-825-8841. 'And this is a view that I still hold today. She had repeatedly told jurors not to bring in outside research. The last couple of years have been difficult and unrelenting., While its disappointing the trial has ended this way, Brittanys health and safety must always come first., Brittany is extremely grateful for all the support she has received, particularly from our mental health care workers., Image Credit:Martin Ollman / Getty Images, Culture Mr Lehrmann was told not to contact Ms Higgins, her boyfriend David Sharaz (pictured together), or her parents, Prosecutor Skye Jerome (pictured, left) reminded the court that Mr Lehrmann was still charged with sexual assault when she requested a series of bail restrictions. It was abandoned after a juror brought in outside research papers on sexual assault. Mr Drumgold argued there was no rational reason to treat witnesses who give evidence in court differently and that the recording of evidence ensured vulnerable witnesses are not re-traumatised in a subsequent proceeding, where possible. 310-267-9092. Words like dumbfounded, shocked and saddened spring to mind. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall. ', Defence lawyer Steven Whybrow (pictured, right) made a statement on Lehrmann's behalf on Thursday, 'I never fully understood the criminal justice system but I do now,' Ms Higgins (pictured, outside court) said in a statement. During the trial, the defence objected to the jury hearing evidence, given by Higgins to police, that alleged Lehrmann had made a pass at me and tried to kiss me. While the pursuit of justice is essential for my office and for the community in general, the safety of a complainant in a sexual assault matter must be paramount.. None of them will accept any press scrutiny (as piss-weak as it is from the MSM). by Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has had his rape charge dropped He was accused of raping Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in March 2019 Ms Higgins is in hospital with fears for her life . This prompted Mr Lehrmanns lawyers to refer her comments to police for possible contempt. Theprospect of either a verdict or a hung jury was looming and many believed this week would be the last in the trial. Bruce Lehrmann has accused two major news organisations of being "recklessly indifferent to the truth" for reporting rape allegations made by his former colleague Brittany Higgins, legal documents . Brittany is extremely grateful for all the support she has received, particularly from our mental health care workers.. Mr Lehrmann said he turned left and she turned right when they entered Senator Reynolds suite and the two did not see each other again. She also posted happy birthday messages to her own Instagram account - including one from her mother, and close friends. Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. 'In short, I need to consider the harm that could be occasioned to a party, particularly a complainant from an ongoing prosecution. He added: 'Whilst the pursuit of justice is essential for both my office and for the community in general, the safety of a complainant in a sexual assault matter must be paramount. Lehrmanns barrister, Steven Whybrow, then suggested to Higgins during her cross-examination that it never happened. Photos: Albert McKnight. I have called the mobile phone number listed and it is disconnected, and the other persons mobile number does not ring. (Click here to read more). I have just put a picture of the top and bottom of the media release below as the content does not matter but there is a link below for the whole media release. REVEALED: Roald Dahl books were neutered by woke consultants aged eight to 30 - led by 'non-binary, asexual, Brittany Higgins: Charge expected to be dropped against Bruce Lehrmann | news.com.au Australias leading news site, Do not sell or share my personal information. If you would like to support via PayPal use the button below or for other donation options click hereto go tothe Donations page. Mr Lehrmann last year told police it had been such an innocuous sort of night and it wasnt unusual for staffers to go out drinking. He made a veiled statement about 'con-artists', before he suggested Ms Higgins had told her 'fabricated' story so many times she believed it to be true. Thought-provoking pieces written by local Canberrans and community leaders. https://www.arpansa.gov.au/sites/default/files/d0011.pdf. This article is a follow-up from the 2 previous articles on the 16th of February titled Scott Morrison covers up the rape of Liberal Party staffers as easy as his friend Hillsongs Brian Houston covers up the rape of children by his father and on the 19th of February titled Scott Morrison refuses to deny the alleged parliament house rapist is Bruce Lehrmann who previously worked for Senator Linda Reynolds., There are virtually no references to Bruce Lehrmann on the internet and he has deleted his social media accounts. Copyright 2023 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. Please use Twitter, Facebook, email and the other buttons below and help promote this article. 'Brittany is extremely grateful for all the support she has received, particularly from our mental health care workers.'. and Cover up continues. , updated You will be sent an email to confirm you want to follow this website. "Why cant the legal system find a way for victims to seek justice without publicly traumatising them?". Ms Higgins faced the same media circus 10 minutes later. Olivia Day For Daily Mail Australia, Brittany Higgins first alleged she was raped by 'male colleague' in the interview, Channel 10 boss has disputed claims Ms Wilkinson was warned by prosecutor, Do you know more? Photo: AAP. The original trial was thrown out in . The first trial was scrapped when a member of the jury brought prohibited reading material- an academic study about false rape allegations - into the courtroom despite being warned several times by the judge. Through her tears, Ms Higgins repeatedly told the court that Mr Whybrow's statements were incorrect. It was only on Tuesday, the fifth day of deliberations, that jurors sent the chief justice a note to say they couldn't unanimously agree on a verdict. I was leaving, he was leaving, she told police. 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