Misconduct – Jury in Bruce Lehrmann trial thrown out

Published

2 years ago

October 27, 2022

The Bruce Lehrmann rape trial in Canberra has been ruled a mistrial after the jury was discharged.

It’s alleged a juror was found to have engaged in misconduct, accessing research paper on sexual assault they shouldn’t have.

Bruce Lehrmann is accused of raping Brittany Higgins in a ministerial office at Parliament House after a night out drinking with work colleagues in 2019.

He has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without her consent.

The trial had been waiting for a verdict since late last week.

The court heard the prohibited research was uncovered when one of the court officers accidentally bumped one of the juror’s folders onto the floor.

When the officer picked up the clear plastic folder, he noticed part of a title of an academic research paper into sexual assault sticking out.

On Thursday, Chief Justice Lucy McCallum with “regret” ruled a mistrial.

“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 that ought not to have.”

“I have heard an explanation, and it may be that no harm has been done, but that is not a risk I can take,” she told the jury.

“During the course of the trial … I must have given the jury at least 17 warnings and prohibitions on undertaking any research of their own.

“This is an unexpected and unfortunate outcome in this trial,” she said.

Ms McCallum said given the circumstances, she had to discharge that juror and then the entire jury.

Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz were in the courtroom for the ruling.

The EV transformation expands to legacy vehicles

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2024

ticker NEWS

This week witnessed another milestone in the automotive industry as the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen embarked on its electric journey, aligning with global sustainability efforts.

Simultaneously, Toyota and Mazda debuted EV offerings tailored for the booming Chinese market, signalling a strategic shift towards collaboration with advanced Chinese partners.

While the electric G-Wagen promises both eco-friendliness and off-road prowess with its innovative design, questions arise about Japanese automakers’ perceived lag in EV development, countered by the strategic imperative to tap into the rapidly growing Chinese EV market. As automotive icons embrace electrification and traditional players adapt through partnerships, it’s clear that collaboration and innovation will drive the future of mobility.

News

The degree dilemma, income shifts, debt, and dream homes

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2024

ticker NEWS

As individuals face the daunting choice between paying off student debt, saving for a first home deposit, or exploring alternative options like rentvesting, careful consideration of various factors becomes imperative.

In the midst of these challenges, a couple in the inner north ingeniously employed a strategy to realise their dream of a larger home while managing HECS debt and affordability hurdles.

Rentvesting emerges as a viable solution for individuals grappling with the burdens of high HECS debt and property affordability issues.

Moreover, the decreasing income premium tied to a university degree is closely intertwined with changing economic dynamics and shifts in the job market, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to education and financial planning in today’s society.

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President Biden signs TikTok bill – what’s next?

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

ticker NEWS

TikTok users could soon find that the popular social media service is either under new ownership or could be outright banned in the United States.

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that requires TikTok to find a new owner—or face a ban in the United States.

Over the past several months, Washington D.C. has been under pressure to ban the popular Chinese-owned social media app.

Lawmakers and security experts have long raised concerns that the Chinese government could tap TikTok’s trove of personal data about millions of U.S. users.

TikTok’s CEO said the bill is disappointing and reiterated that the company has committed to challenge it.

David Zhang from China Insider. joins Veronica Dudo to discuss