Jury is DISCHARGED in the case of Brittany Higgins’ accused rapist Brice Lehrmann – Jury is DISCHARGED in the case of Brittany Higgins’ accused rapist as case is sensationally abandoned after she appears at court for the first time since giving evidence
- Jury has been discharged in rape trial of Bruce Lehrmann without a verdict
- Chief Justice dismissed the 12 jurors shortly after 10am on Thursday morning
- A juror brought an academic research paper about sexual assault into jury room
Jury is DISCHARGED in the case of Brittany Higgins’ accused rapist Brice Lehrmann
The trial of Brittany Higgins’ accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann has been sensationally aborted, with the jury discharged after a juror brought an academic research paper about sexual assault into the jury room.
On what should have been the jury’s seventh day of deliberations, Chief Justice Lucy McCallum dismissed the 12 jurors shortly after 10am on Thursday morning.
Bruce Lehrmann had been standing trial, accused of the political staffer’s rape following a drunken night out in March 2019. He had pleaded not guilty.
Ms Higgins burst into tears at hearing the trial would be abandoned as she appeared in court for the first time since giving evidence.
Justice McCallum said: ‘It has come to my attention that one of you has undertaken research in relation to issues in the case and that material has entered the jury room which ought not to have.
Brittany Higgin is seen arriving at the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday morning just hours before the case against her alleged attacker was sensationally aborted
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann is pictured arriving to court on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
‘I have heard an explanation and it may be that no harm has been done but that is not a risk I can take. I have discharged that juror and I have to discharge you all.
‘Can I please convey to you my sincerest gratitude to the hard work you’ve done in this trial.
‘With those remarks, you’re discharged and you are free to leave.’
The sensational development raises the prospect the case could be re-tried with Justice McCallum flagging the trial could be relisted for February 20, 2023.
She later explained why the jury was discharged.
‘During routine tidying of the jury room after the conclusion of the proceedings yesterday, one of the sheriff’s officers accidentally bumped one of the jurors documents folders onto the floor,’ she told the court.
Ms Higgins held hands with boyfriend David Sharaz as she arrived at the ACT Supreme Court
‘The judge said the sheriff saw the title of an academic research paper. The topic of the paper might be sexual assault.
‘The matter was promptly brought to my attention. My associates identified what appeared to be the document in question.
‘In the circumstances, it is appropriate to regard that evidence with some scepticism.
Justice McCallum said during the course of the trial she gave the jury ‘at least’ 17 warnings.
‘This is an unexpected and unfortunate outcome in this trial,’ she said.
Prosecutor Skye Jerome tried to impose bail conditions on Mr Lehrmann which would see him barred from contacting Ms Higgins, her boyfriend, or her parents.
Justice McCallum has flagged the trial could be relisted for February 20, 2023.Pictured is Brittany Higgins and boyfriend David Shiraz arriving to court on Thursday morning
Ms Jerome also suggested Lehrmman surrender his passport, which defence lawyer Steven Whybrow objected to.
Justice McCallim said Lehrmann would have to submit any impending international itineraries to police two weeks in advance.
He will also have to notify police of where he is living, and notify the of any residential changes.
Bruce Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
