In a sudden turn of events, the jury in Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial has been dismissed for misbehaviour.
Brittany Higgins, an Australian political aide, was allegedly raped by Lehrmann in 2019 at a minister’s office at Parliament House in Canberra.
He has entered a not guilty plea and said there was no sexual activity.
A juror brought study materials into the jury deliberation chamber at the ACT Supreme Court, prompting the decision to discharge the panel.
They had broken the regulations by accessing internet information that had nothing to do with the study that was discussed in the trial.
It now denotes that a mistrial has been ruled, and the matter has been put on hold for the time being.
Chief Justice Lucy McCallum reportedly informed the panel, “It has come to my attention that one of you has undertaken research in regard to issues in the case, contrary to directions, and that material has entered the jury room that ought not to have,” according to the Guardian.
“I’ve heard an explanation, and while it’s possible that nothing was harmed, I can’t take that risk. Due to the circumstances, I have to release every juror, as well as you all.
The latest development comes after five days of deliberations, with jurors repeatedly telling the Chief Justice that they were struggling to reach a unanimous verdict.
When Higgins went public with her story in 2021, she triggered a wider movement Australia and lifted the lid on the culture at Federal Parliament.
Scott Morrison’s failing reelection campaign would be marred by the issue.
Mistrial was proclaimed in the Brittany Higgins case due to jury misbehaviour.
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