Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. We will never know whether Bruce Lehrmann is guilty, or whether he's faced unjustified accusations,' he said. ACT Police Manager of Criminal Investigations Detective Superintendent Scott Moller claimed in his notes that Mr Drumgold had decided to push on with the case regardless. He is also suing News Life Media - an umbrella company of Rupert Murdoch'sNews Corporation which runs news.com.au - over coverage by journalist Samantha Maiden which featured the same allegations by Ms Higgins. But Brown told the court there was no urgent work justifying the after-hours visit, which she characterised as a security breach. Bruce Lehrmann might have been on trial for allegedly raping Brittany Higgins but we know surprisingly little about him. Picture of Bruce Lehrmann (Source: Google) Theprospect of either a verdict or a hung jury was looming and many believed this week would be the last in the trial. There is too much political interference'',' detective superintendent Moller wrote. Ans. None of this prevented Lehrmanns trial-by-media or the torrential downpour of accolades for the two journalists who interviewed Higgins. By
She is right. They spent the whole of Wednesday deliberating. [Higgins] was concerned about how this might impact her career, and Senator Reynolds said there would be no impact to her career, and that shed have powerful support.. Bruce Lehrmanns likely never will. Just two weeks earlier, Justice McCallum warned the media that anyone who defied non-publication orders and jeopardised the trial would find their name enshrined in the first paragraph of her closing remarks. In her evidence, Ms Higgins said she had vomited in the minister's toilet in the morning after the alleged assault. Before I could ask him anything more, he had left.. Brittany Higgins, centre, spoke outside the ACT Supreme Court after the first trial was aborted, with Heidi Yates standing on the right. Some networks have contacted him for a paid TV interview since the charge against him was dropped. Ms Anderson said Ms Higgins rolled over into the foetal position before she closed the door. In his interview with police in 2021, Mr Lehrmann told them his intention for returning to Parliament House was to collect his keys and once in the office, he said he hadcompleted some paperwork before leaving. Yates told an ACT parliamentary hearing last month a narrow definition of a victim of crime would limit support services, including court support, to a very small proportion of Canberrans affected by crime, and such services would only be available to people at the tail end of the justice process. Bruce Lehrmann arrives to give evidence in front of an ACT Supreme Court jury on October 6, 2022. . The release of the sensitive material prompted Mr Drumgold to label it a 'serious' issue and demanded police retrieve it. Needless to say, the mood was tense when she entered the court just after 9.45am on Thursday morning and did not call the eight women and four men of the jury into the room. 'He has been accused of a crime before the nation and that will never be removed.'. biotech valuation model xls.
"I had the intention of going but I was so depressed I couldn't get out of bed. She turned around and she says I remember him on top of me., Brown said she replied: Are you OK? He asked superintendent Moller to make sure the USB was examined to verify claims made by Mr Lehrmann's lawyers at the time they had not accessed the information. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. The ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions earlier this month released to The Guardian a letter in which Drumgold complained to ACT Police Commissioner Neil Gaughan that police had engaged in a very clear campaign to pressure him not to prosecute Lehrmann. The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 1: Recap And Ending, Explained: Why Does Din Djarin Want To Go To Mandalore? Mr Lehrmann was charged with raping Ms Higgins in August 2021 - six months after her allegations were published. The lawyers that received the information were later replaced by barrister Steve Whybrow - who did not receive the documents. 'He is entitled to a presumption of innocence therefore an accusation against him, that he is a rapist, would be highly defamatory.'. Bruce Lehrmann, the alleged parliament house rapist, was an official at the Australian National University (ANU) NCMUN annual conference in 2016 which was the year before new sexual assault and sexual harassment policies were introduced in 2017 for the NCMUN conference that seems to be related to what happened at the 2016 conference. Higgins seemed broken after alleged rape, court told, PMs office was told 11 days after event, court told, Lehrmann wouldnt dream of going to ministers office, court told. The security team became concerned and asked Anderson to check on Higgins. Has something happened that you didnt want to have happened?. For the time being, Bruce is in the headline as he is facing some excessive charges of bodily assault and rape of Brittany Higgins all around the parliament keep of job in March 2019. 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. Last month, Ms Wilkinson opted to hire her own legal team instead of using the lawyers supplied to her by Channel 10 - which means she would be personally liable for any damages awarded in the event that she loses the case. "I recall saying 'do you mind if I ask you a very direct question?' Bruce Lehrmann will 'never' be able to clear his tainted name and the decision to drop the case against him is a 'catastrophe' for the justice system, top legal analyst says . Hilarious snaps reveal workers who don't have time for red tape. Bruce Lehrmann (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas) Bruce Lehrmann might have been on trial for allegedly raping Brittany Higgins but we know surprisingly little about him. Jesse Hyland
'This has left me no option but to file a notice declining to proceed with the retrial of this matter which I've done this morning. Leave them kids alone, sang Pink Floyd in 1979. He was earlier worked as a staff member of Senator Linda Reynolds's office. Whos at fault in the catastrophic East Palestine train derailment? The Attorney-General said the inquiry wasnt about revisiting the trial or any evidence within it. Senior police aired a number of concerns about the case during the executive briefing. Eliza Mcphee For Daily Mail Australia
FORMER Toowoomba Grammar School student Bruce Lehrmann can be identified as the man who has received a summons to appear in an ACT court on September 16 over allegations that he sexually assaulted Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in Canberra. Brittany Higgins accused Bruce Lehrmann of allegedly raping her on March 23, 2019 in the Australian Parliament. As Janet Albrechtsen wrote for The Australian last year: The Australian justice system is built on two foundations. He wrote down a conversation where superintendent Moller and his boss, ACT Deputy Chief Police Officer Michael Chew, warned Mr Drumgold about proceeding. 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. Brown also gave evidence about a series of meetings with Higgins after the incident. The first court appearance of Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of the sexual assault of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, is Thursday week. In this instance, as in others, many in the media used the cover of #MeToo to advance careers, preen in public, and pursue political agendas. Holiday home owners in Scotland face new SNP tax hike under plans from front-runner to be new First Scotland should just self-identify as an independent country, one SNP member proposed. In his words, it simply didnt happen. He took birth and changed into raised in the metropolis of Australia. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-saw-brittany-higgins-take-the-spotlight/101558368, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app, 'Weirdest phone call in my life': Brittany Higgins secretly recorded Michaelia Cash, court hears, Guard found Brittany Higgins 'naked in foetal position', Linda Reynolds gives evidence in Bruce Lehrmann trial, China has taken a 'dramatic' lead in critical technologies used for military power, report says, Rajwinder Singh charged with murder over the death of Toyah Cordingley, India leads but Aussies make inroads in third Test, MP Monique Ryan and chief of staff Sally Rugg fail to settle dispute after four-week mediation, Former minister takes 'absolute responsibility' for Robodebt, admits defending scheme despite knowing it could be unlawful, As flood evacuees begin arriving in Darwin, 'hundreds' remain displaced and stranded, Aaryan's parents have skills Australia desperately needs. 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. 05:40 GMT 04 Dec 2022 After the sudden halt of the first trial, Higgins spoke to media outside of the ACT Supreme Court, describing the justice system as asymmetrical and stating that she felt as though she, not Lehrmann, had been the one on trial. 'The juror gave an explanation suggesting the document had not been used or relied upon by any juror,' the chief justice said. Stay tuned for more updates on LatestinBollywood. But during cross-examination, defence lawyer Steven Whybrow showed the court a photo of Ms Higgins wearing the dress the month following the alleged rape, at a Liberal Party event in Perth. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. Brittany Higgins, her colleague, claimed that he attacked her in Pastor Linda Reynolds' office at Parliament House. Her function was to give evidence and help the public prosecutor in their bid to prove Mr Lehrmann's guilt. "I was just so broken that I couldn't leave the confines of my room. Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Bruce is a senior advisor of the Australian Liberal Party. The case was set for a second trial before it was dropped byACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold after medical experts feared a retrial would negatively affect Ms Higgins' mental health after she was hospitalised. "My intention hadn't been to have a big night, so I acted normally like, my intention was to return [to Parliament House]," Mr Lehrmann told police. Jesse Hyland
Just hours after her impassioned speech was broadcast all over Australia, Mr Lehrmann's defence lawyer announced police had been contacted on the basis that what she said could impact his right to a fair trial. My colleague had said to me that Mr Lehrmann had left about 20 minutes after I had let him into the suite, she said. Eliza Mcphee For Daily Mail Australia, Bruce Lehrmann is reportedly 'broke' following the end of his high-profile case, The former political staffer has been unemployed since he was accused of rape, He has reportedly been 'chopping wood' for a friend's dad and looking for work, Mr Lehrmann and his legal team are considering whether to launch legal action, Bruce Lehrmann continuously and strenuously denied rape allegations, Bruce Lehrmann dons a Ralph Lauren vest as he chats on the phone in his first public appearance since Brittany Higgins' sexual assault case against him was sensationally dropped, Brittany Higgins seeks up to $1million compensation for lost earnings and at-home support as she breaks her silence after high-profile sexual assault case was sensationally abandoned. Parents of Bruce Lehrmann According to Crikey, in June 1995, Bruce Lehrmann (now 27) was born in the American village of College Station. But the prosecution alleged CCTV footage showed neither Mr Lehrmann nor Ms Higgins carrying documents when they left the building. Enter your email address and Crikey will send a Verification Code. Justice McCallum said she gave the jury 'at least 17 warnings' during the course of the trial not to find their own evidence. Inside the scandals that have plagued Lisa Wilkinson as she Rape charge against Brittany Higgins' accused attacker 'to Grinning and bearing it? "Going and confronting it with a health professional was a really big f***ing deal for me. This week Lehrmann lodged defamation cases in the Federal Court against News Life Media and Network Ten, in which both Maiden and Wilkinson are named as respondents. Parliament House security guard Nikola Anderson leaves the ACT supreme court in Canberra on 10 October 2022. With the trial aborted, all that evidence - all those tears and turmoil - will have to be heard again at another trial. ', The mood was tense when Justice Lucy McCallum (pictured, during a previous case) entered the court just after 9.45am on Thursday. Bruce Lehrmann Wife, Kids and
Australian consultant Bruce Lehrmann changed into born around 1980-90. Instead,Mr Lehrmann's first interview with police, taken in 2021, was played to the court, in which he told police he wanted to die after he heard about the allegations. The [department of parliamentary services] report said that they said they were there for urgent work purposes, she told the court on Tuesday. At no point during the trial had the court resumed earlier than 10am. He lashed out at prosecutor Mr Drumgold over comments he made on Friday that he still believed there was a 'reasonable' prospect of conviction, had the DPP followed through with the retrial. The law provides that defendants in a criminal trial have the option to exercise their right to silence, which means they do not have to appear as a witness. 'Under the circumstances, it is appropriate to regard that evidence with some scepticism. The Channel 10 interview and news.com.au stories were aired in 2021, but Mr Lehrmann launched his defamation suit almost two years later. Bruce Lehrmann Trial Delayed Currently, Bruce . 'My life has been publicly scrutinised, open for the world to see. Bruce Emery Lehrmann was born in June 1995 in College Station, Texas, a small city of 120,000 an hour and a half drive from Houston. In other words, she told them to go back into the jury room and try again. Sleeping for less than six hours a night could increase your risk of getting infections by more than a quarter, study suggests, 'This is not the way to conduct an interview': Smiling Iranian foreign minister says women in his country 'have all the necessary required freedoms' - in combative interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Senators slam Biden official after two senior hires were discovered to have been forced out of previous jobs for sexual harassment - with one paying $89,500 settlement to victim, REVEALED: 'Bomb' almost smuggled onto passenger plane in Pennsylvania was a commercial grade FIREWORK stitched into suitcase lining - arrested man, 40, has long rap sheet, California Governor declares state of emergency in 13 counties including LA and San Bernardino due to winter storms - with California National Guard to be deployed, Teacher is STILL on unpaid leave 16 months after second-grader claimed she pushed her hijab off in class - prompting anti-Semitic abuse from girl's dad and bullying from Olympic fencer she considered a friend, REVEALED: Roald Dahl books were neutered by woke consultants aged eight to 30 - who were led by 'non-binary, asexual, polyamorous relationship anarchist who is on the autism spectrum', Charles is evicting Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage so problems with the Sussexes and Prince Andrew 'can be put to bed' following his Coronation in May, Florida man dies from brain-eating infection after rinsing his nose with TAP WATER, Traveller shares her 'secret' hack to bag an entire row of seats on a Qantas flight: 'I can't believe this works', A shot over China's bows? But it's not my choice. Brown denied any suggestion that Higgins was pressured not to go forward with a police complaint. I said are you coming back? He just replied hastily no and flicked the pass onto the desk. Woman Caught Grabbing Busta Rhymes Butt Says I Didnt Mean It After Throwing Drinks At Her, Edwin Castro Wiki, Age, Career, Parents, Education, Relationship, Net Worth, Nationality And More, Mourad Battikh Wiki, Age, Education, Parents, Career, Relationship, Net Worth And More, Jahm Najafi Net Worth 2023, Source Of Income, Career, Wife, Age. Bruce Lehrmann's Parents Just like his marital status, the details of his parents are obscure at the given date. On this weblog, you will learn all about Bruce LehrmannsWife,Age, Wiki, Family, Parents, Discover Price & More. Play it now! Under cross-examination, Brown became emotional when shown a text message she received from Higgins saying she could not overstate how much I valued your support and advice throughout this period. By
Male birth control gel you rub on your SHOULDERS could be available within a decade as scientists claim What lack of sleep REALLY does to your face: Expert reveals the warning signs your skin is suffering. I hope that this matter does not affect that broader relationship, but that is part of the reason we are establishing this inquiry, to ensure that where those allegations and these fracture points have been aired, there is an independent forum to investigate them and then draw conclusions, he said. A court judgment has revealed that the media had previously alleged that Bruce Lehrmann assaulted other women, after a high-profile rape trial against him was dropped over grave fears for Brittany . Bruce Lehrmann's Wife: Bruce Lehrmann is a well-known senior advisor of the Australian Liberal Party. and she said 'I could not have consented - it would have been like f***inga log' and at that point, she was then very upset," Mr Payne said. Had the Crown's case against Bruce Lehrmann - who Ms Higgins alleged raped her in Parliament House on March 23, 2019 - somehow been jeopardised? However, she told the court she had not visited a doctor in the weeks following the alleged assault. Albrechtsen added, We face the real prospect of the rule of law giving way to open slather where certain laws apply differently to certain people. 05:42 GMT 04 Dec 2022. He changed into earlier worked as a workers member of Senator Linda Reynoldss keep of job. Plastic surgeon reveals the one exercise that makes you AGE FASTER - saying he tells his patients to stop Traveller shares her 'secret' hack to bag an entire row of seats on a Qantas flight: 'I can't believe this Do YOU know how much a flooded home costs to repair - and is it covered on your insurance? Ans. For her scoops on Higgins, Samantha Maiden, news.com.aus National Political Editor, won the prestigious Gold Walkley for excellence in journalism in 2021, along with the award for Best Coverage of a News Event at the same awards night. Brittany Higgins (pictured) alleges Bruce Lehrmann raped her inside Parliament House in 2019 Mr Lehrmann was not named in the TV interview or in the online article, but he claims his friends,. Feral activists on social media and some more seasoned journalists in the mainstream media decided that an allegation of rape was sufficient to do away with protections offered by the law such as the presumption of innocence, due process and the rule of law. 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. Rattenbury described Drumgolds complaint as a very serious allegation and said the terms of reference for the inquiry would encompass that issue. He changed into earlier worked as a workers member of Senator Linda Reynoldss keep of job. Defence lawyers forMr Lehrmannsuggested Ms Higgins had told police she went to the doctor to make her story more believable, which she disagreed with. Brittany Higgins, centre, spoke outside the ACT Supreme Court after the first trial was aborted, with Heidi Yates standing on the right.Credit:Rhett Wyman. Find the latest Bollywood News and Celebrity Gossips from Latest In Bollywood. "I think she described it as a 'super f***ed up thing that happened',"Mr O'Connor said. Despite his hefty costs, his barristers -Steve Whybrow and Katrina Musgrove - worked pro bono, or for free throughout the high-profile case. Various politicians were also called by prosecuting lawyers to give evidence throughout the case. He has been deprived of that right (of a fair trial),' Mr Merritt told Sky News. The first, ominous sign that something wasn't right in the trial of Brittany Higgins' accused rapist dropped into reporters' inboxes at 8.23am on Thursday. We now live in an era when the words of one person, simply by virtue of her sex, can undo the career, reputation and professional prospects of another. That means Justice Lee,who is presiding over the case, will have to determine whether the rape is more likely to have happened than not. Inside the courtroom on Thursday, the atmosphere was strained. Now she believes she's being penalised, Watch Australia's economic challenges unfold in five graphs, Goanna stuck atop Mildura radio tower offers poor reception to its rescuers, Major tour operator pulls pin on Alice Springs due to 'external challenges' facing region, Outside her tent, next to a popular city walking track, homeless Tasha is past caring what people think, Vietnam's parliament elects the nation's next president amid anti-corruption campaign, New Easter Island Moai statue discovered in volcano crater, Easton Wood backs AFL's player opt-out clause for gambling advertising, NRL live: Parramatta clashes with Melbourne Storm as 2023 season kicks off, Inquest into 75-year-old's flood death hears of desperate last moments. Bruce LehrmannWife,Age, Wiki, Family, Parents, Net Worth & More. In a better world, every accused and accuser would have the justice they deserve. June 21, 2022 by Shivansh. Brittany Higgins claims her ex-colleague Mr Lehrmann (pictured) raped her at Parliament House after a night out in Canberra on March 23, 2019 - he has denied the allegations, Independent medical experts fear subjecting Brittany Higgins (pictured) to further trauma associated with another trial would be an 'unacceptable risk' to her health. The case was colloquially dubbed 'The Higgins Trial', but Ms Higgins was never on trial. But now he will have his day in court. Defamation lawyers acting for Lehrmann have also sent legal notices to media outlets, including Ten network and News Corp, over their coverage surrounding Higgins allegations. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Katie Boulter Parents, Partner, Age, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, Ethnicity, Height. At a second meeting, on 28 March 2019, Brown said she asked again if Higgins was OK. Higgins initially said that she was, but then as she was leaving the room, she stopped halfway to the door, Brown told the court. But he never shared any details about his marital lifestyles and never talked about his wife. Lehrmanns lawyer, Steven Whybrow, issued a statement on Wednesday saying: Mr Lehrmann welcomes an inquiry and hopes the terms of reference will extend to an examination of all aspects of the matter, including decisions not to prosecute various individuals, and the efforts taken by the DPP to ensure a fair trial.. ', 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. Brittany Higgins version of events has dominated the media for two years. "I very symbolically washed the dress and I wore it once more, and then I've never worn it since," Ms Higgins said. But the media won't name Bruce Lehrmann, and one can only assume that is because Lehrmann is being protected by the Liberal Party as part of the cover-up of the alleged rape just before the 2019 federal election which would have had a negative impact on the 2019 election for Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party. "I continued to make appointments," she said. Ms Wilkinson's truth defence was lodged in court on Wednesday by her barristerSue Chrysanthou SC. Prosecutors questioned what led the pair to return to Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019. 'Court will reconvene at 9.45am today,' the email sent on behalf of Chief Justice Lucy McCallum read. As The 'Pie's droll informant of the tidbit said, how unpopular do you have to be when Big Tobacco wants to have nothing to do with you? This brings the prosecution to an end.'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. Shes opened her eyes, shes looked at me and shes proceeded to roll over into the foetal position, facing the desk, Anderson told the court. Pub puzzle depicting a 'common phrase' stumps thousands - before the Pippa Middleton's seven-month-old daughter Rose 'has been christened at her local village church in Nightmare! He argues the coverage invited viewers and readers to 'speculate' and search for commentary online. Senator Reynolds told the court she had not asked her partner to tell her what was said in court. The story of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleged sexual assault at Parliament House in March 2019 is well known to the Australian public. He would not speculate as to whether Ms Higgins could face charges for contempt of court. Defence lawyers pressed Ms Higgins on alleged inconsistencies in testimony given around the dress she was wearing on the night of the alleged assault. Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting Higgins in the ministerial office of the pairs former boss, Coalition senator Linda Reynolds, in March 2019. Unlike Mr Lehrmann, she had tears in her eyes and her voice trembled as she delivered a pre-prepared speech -launching into a scathing speech on live TV. Plus, there are no records of his parents' presence during court hearings. Mr Lehrmann's voice was also heard by the jury, but he did not speak in court. For the time being, Bruce is facing trial for convicting rape and assault with Brittany Higgins for which he can raise a most sentence of 12 years imprisonment if stumbled on guilty. She continually instructed them to abstain from social media, stop reading the news, and shut down any conversations about the trial with anyone who was not on the jury. Former ministers chief of staff tells court Lehrmann, who denies rape allegation, told her later he went back to the office to drink whisky. Bruce Lehrmann launches defamation lawsuits against Network Ten and News Corp, Jury in Bruce Lehrmann rape trial discharged without verdict after juror did own research. He certainly might not be an orphan. Ms Higgins told the court she had kept the dress in a bag under her bed "untouched" and "uncleaned" for around six months before washing and wearing it. We are guided by a deceptively simple, old idea: tell the truth and shame the devil. The courtroom action of the past 12 days - as Ms Higgins, Lehrmann and other witnesses took the stand - had been, at times, confronting and eye-opening. 'If she continues to assert that Mr Lehrmann had committed a criminal offence against her there could be a little bit of blowback,' he said. After the incident, she was forced to decide between . In order for Ms Wilkinson to win the defamation case, she will have to prove the rape took place on the balance of probabilities. They alleged Mr Lehrmann provided three different reasons for why he and Ms Higgins had gone to Parliament House on the night of the alleged assault. Psychological counselling notes and a video of the police interview with Ms Higgins were among the protected evidence unlawfully sent to Mr Lehrmann's legal team, news.com.au reported. Bruce Lehrmann is a effectively-identified senior consultant of the Australian Liberal Celebration. He's in the intervening time 30-40 years outmoded. Who Is Nikita Mathis? Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Former Liberal stafferBruce Lehrmann has had his rape charge dropped, He was accused of raping Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in March 2019, Mr Lehrmann has consistently denied the allegation made against him, Legal affairs analyst described decision to abandon retrial as 'catastrophe', The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions has decided to drop controversial case, Experts feared the trauma of a second trial would risk Ms Higgins' mental health, First trial was aborted after a member of the jury brought prohibited material. Since being accused of rape, he is now reportedly 'broke' and left unable to get a job. But Mr Lehrmann told police that while it was "common practice" for staff to go to Parliament House after hours to drink,he did not drink while there that evening and did not have any alcohol in the office. Ans. Mr Ramos said the office only appeared to require a "normal" clean, he found no evidence the bathroom had been used. Parliament House cleaner Carlos Ramos told the court he had been called in to do an out-of-hours clean on the same day and was told to look for signs of a "party". Ms Higgins faced the same media circus 10 minutes later. 'You can't have it both ways, either he's [Mr Lehrmann's] innocent or he's not,' Mr Merritt said. Moving on, Brittany Higgins is an Australian Liberal Staffer. As reported by ABC News, Lehrmann said his personal and professional reputation had been brought into public disrepute, and the way the news items were published was recklessly indifferent to the truth. He has called for damages and aggravated damages. Later that day, Whybrow released a statement saying he had referred Higgins to the police and court. When the court was re-opened, she addressed the jury:'It has come to my attention that one of you has undertaken research in relation to issued in the case and that material has enter the jury room which ought not to have.