Shane Drumgold
I have
recently received
compelling
evidence from two independent
medical experts that the ongoing
trauma associated with this
prosecution presents a significant
and unacceptable risk to the life of
the complainant,” Drumgold said.
“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.
“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.
“In light of the
compelling independent medical
opinion and balancing all factors, I
have made the difficult decision
that it is no longer in the public
interest to pursue a prosecution at
the risk of the complainant’s life.”
“During the
investigation and trial as a sexual
assault complainant, Ms Higgins, has
faced a level of personal attack
that I have not seen in over 20
years of doing this work. She has
done so with bravery, grace and
dignity and it is my hope that this
will now stop and Ms Higgins will be
allowed to heal.”
entire jury in the original trial was discharged
Lucy McCallum
in 2019, has been dropped because of new concerns for the impact on Higgins’ mental health.
The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions used his prosecutorial discretion to announce on Friday morning that the charges against Lehrmann would be dropped and a second trial would not proceed.
“
Drumgold said he had no choice but to decline to proceed with a retrial.
He concluded by saying he had never seen such personal attacks levelled at a complainant in his career.
This comes after after outside material not heard by the court was found in the jury room, which meant the trial would have to begin all over again with a new jury.
The ACT Supreme Court heard on October 27 one juror conducted their own research outside the courtroom, which isn’t allowed under their oath, and brought in a research paper on sexual assault.
Chief Justice said she had no choice but to discharge all 12 jurors. A retrial was previously set for February 2023.
The first trial was aborted at the conclusion of a weeks-long trial. The jury had been deliberating since October 19 and had told the court last week they were “unable to reach a unanimous verdict”, but McCallum told them to keep trying.
Bruce Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to raping Brittany Higgins on March 23, 2019 in parliament house.
Help is available.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
If you’d like to speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
The post ACT Prosecutor Confirms Charges Against Bruce Lehrmann Will Be Dropped appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
