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The choose presiding over the rape trial of former Union Division worker Bruce Lehrmann has requested the jury to proceed deliberation after 4 males and eight ladies mentioned they might not attain a unanimous verdict. finest.

The jury deliberated for a complete of 4 days when their members despatched a letter to ACT Supreme Courtroom Chief Justice Lucy McCallum signaling an deadlock.

McCallum instructed the jury she had the ability to fireplace her members in the event that they could not attain an actual deal.

“Expertise exhibits that juries can in the end agree, if they’ve extra time to think about and talk about the proof,” McCallum mentioned.

“For that motive, judges typically ask the jury to work tougher to achieve a verdict… I am asking you to retire once more to see in case you can ship a verdict on this trial. or not.”

Lehrmann is accused of sexually assaulting his former colleague Brittany Higgins on the Homes of Parliament within the early hours of March 23, 2019, after they each had a drink on Friday evening with a colleague.

He has pleaded not responsible and denies ever having intercourse with Higgins.

On Monday, McCallum instructed the jury to not bow to any public stress for a speedy verdict within the high-profile case, including that it might take on a regular basis it wants after the panel The choose despatched a word to the choose asking for “a little bit extra time to finish our deliberation”.

“There isn’t any rush, there is no time restrict,” McCallum mentioned on Monday.

“In case you are feeling any stress understanding that everybody is ready for a verdict, there isn’t any stress from anybody on you… we are going to hear from you once we obtain the knowledge. belief from you.”