The jury within the trial for Bruce Lehrmann accused of raping Brittany Higgins has left court docket to go dwelling and “return with recent minds” tomorrow after saying on Tuesday afternoon it couldn’t attain a unanimous verdict.
Lehrmann has pleaded not responsible to sexual activity with out consent and is dealing with a legal trial within the ACT Supreme Courtroom.
After three days and 6 hours of deliberations, the jurors despatched a notice to the court docket on Tuesday afternoon saying they have been “unable to achieve a unanimous settlement”.
However Chief Justice Lucy McCallum instructed them expertise reveals juries are capable of attain a choice if they’re given extra time.
“I ask you to retire once more to see for those who can attain a verdict on this trial,” she mentioned.
She mentioned they have to calmly and objectively pay attention to one another’s opinions and attempt to attain a unanimous resolution.
“You can’t take part a verdict if you don’t actually and genuinely assume it’s the right one,” she mentioned.
The jurors then indicated they wish to “return with recent minds” on Wednesday.
Justice McCallum thanked them for his or her persevering with exhausting work within the trial and requested them to attempt to calm down on Tuesday afternoon by hitting the health club or strolling the canine.
“Have a little bit of respite from this arduous activity that faces you,” she mentioned.
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Higgins alleges Lehrmann raped her within the Parliament Home workplace of former defence business minister Linda Reynolds, for whom they each labored as staffers, in March 2019. He denies any sexual interplay occurred.
The jury heard from 29 witnesses over the course of the trial, together with coalition senators Reynolds and Michaelia Money.
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