Bruce Lehrmann rape trial jury despatched again to deliberate after saying it was unable to agree on verdict
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Judges within the trial of accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann had been requested to evaluation the proof after telling the decide they might not attain a verdict.
Mr Lehrmann, a former Liberal worker, is accused of raping then-colleague Brittany Higgins within the minister’s workplace at Parliament Home in 2019.
Mr Lehrmann pleaded not responsible and mentioned no sexual exercise occurred between the 2.
After greater than 4 days of deliberation, 12 jurors forwarded a word to ACT Chief Justice Lucy McCallum saying they might not agree on a unanimous verdict.
The decide referred to as the jurors again to the courtroom shortly after to encourage them to rethink their place.
“Judges are sometimes reluctant to discharge juries as a result of expertise reveals that juries can usually agree, given extra time,” Justice McCallum mentioned.
“Every of you has sworn or affirmed that you’ll make a real judgment based on the proof.
“And, as I advised you yesterday morning, that’s finally your solely expectation and that is a crucial duty.”
The ACT requires a unanimous choice for a responsible or not responsible verdict.
The jurors then requested the decide to depart and return to think about the proof tomorrow.
Chief Justice McCallum inspired them to take a break and attempt to calm down, and thanked them for “continued arduous work”.
Yesterday morning, the jury interrupted the deliberation to ask how a lot time the decide needed to give a verdict.
The chief justice reassured them with no expectations and advised them to not rush.
“You are taking on a regular basis you want,” she says.
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