The jury says they have been unable to reach a decision in the trial for the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins
ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucy McCallum has told jurors to re-examine points in disagreement and try and reach an unanimous verdict in the Bruce Lehrmann trial.
Lehrmann is accused of raping then-Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in March 2019.
He has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent.
Jurors have been deliberating for five days.
Chief Justice McCallum said juries can “often reach a verdict if given more time”.
The court heard Chief Justice McCallum declare she has the power to discharge the jury, only if she is satisfied one or more of the jurors are not likely to agree.
“That means there is no likelihood of genuine agreement after any further deliberations,” she explained.
The jury were reminded to stay true to their oath and to consider the evidence in a fair manner.
