Difference between revisions of "Bruce Emery Lehrmann"
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| + | [[Bruce Emery Lehrmann]], born June 1995, College Station, Texas, is a former staffer for the Liberal Party of Australia. Bruce Lehrmann is a dual US-Australian citizen.<ref>https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/10/27/bruce-lehrmann-who-is-he/</ref><ref>https://biographytrend.com/bruce-lehrmann/</ref> |
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| + | Bruce Lehrmann was accused by former colleague [[Brittany Higgins]] of raping her in Parliament House, Canberra. Bruce Lehrmann has always denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty. |
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| − | == 4 October 2022 == |
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| + | [[Bruce Lehrmann]] was subsequently charged with and [[Trial of Bruce Lehrmann|tried]] for the rape of Higgins. While it initially appeared that there would be a hung jury the matter was dismissed following misconduct by a juror. Initially a retrial was set down for February 2023. On 2 December 2022 the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Australian Capital Territory, Shane Drumgold, announced that the charges against Bruce Lehrmann would be withdrawn.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/rape-charge-dropped-against-bruce-lehrmann-who-was-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-brittany-higgins/ar-AA14Nypl</ref> This appears to constitute a [[nolle prosequi]]. |
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| − | The trial of Bruce Lehrman begins in the Australian Capital Territory. [[Brittany Higgins]] took the stand and, between tears, stated that she had a "strange adversarial relationship" with Bruce Lehrman.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/brittany-higgins-wipes-tears-away-in-court-on-the-first-day-of-the-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann/news-story/a70a4e6415a31947e5d14769da4d3460</ref> Text messages and CCTV footage have been presented to the court.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/brittany-higgins-bruce-lerhmann-arrive-at-court-as-trial-begins/news-story/1a7da3c0f82ea6e6c625773d1a6caa1d</ref> A total of 47 witnesses will present evidence during the trial that is expected to take 4-6 weeks.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_THyIuv_c0</ref> |
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| + | Bruce Lehrmann was reportedly on an annual salary of $200,000 while working for the Liberal Party of Australia. Following the trial he is broke and unemployed.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11499757/Bruce-Lehrmann-loses-200k-political-staffer-job-Brittany-Higgins-accusation-loses-dole.html</ref> |
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| − | The defence pointed out inconsistencies between Higgins' account of events and that of a female security guard that found her alone in an office in Parliament House.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/04/bruce-lehrmanns-lawyer-accuses-brittany-higgins-of-erasing-details-from-night-of-alleged</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | == 5 October 2022 == |
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| + | Bruce Lehrmann was charged with one count of ''sexual intercourse without consent'' (s54 Crimes Act 1900, ACT):<ref>http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ca190082/s54.html</ref> |
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| − | Brittany Higgins again took the stand during the second day of the trial. Higgins admitted that she did not seek medical attention despite later claiming to have been raped by Bruce Lehrman. Higgins stated that she took a pregnancy test two weeks after the she and Bruce Lehrman went to parliament house together.<ref>https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-05/brittany-higgins-court-bruce-lehrmann-second-day-trial/101502136</ref> |
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| + | <blockquote> |
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| − | Higgins claims that earlier in the evening Bruce Lehrman had tried to kiss her but that she had rebuffed him.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/brittany-higgins-takes-the-stand-in-bruce-lehrmann-trial/news-story/d2fa8aa9c132fa96afaebdddfbc87006</ref> |
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| + | CRIMES ACT 1900 - SECT 54 |
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| + | Sexual intercourse without consent |
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| + | (1) A person who engages in sexual intercourse with another person without the consent of that other person and who is reckless as to whether that other person consents to the sexual intercourse is guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by imprisonment for 12 years. |
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| + | (2) However, for an aggravated offence against subsection (1), the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 15 years. |
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| − | Texts between Higgins and her ex-boyfriend Ben Dillaway were tendered to the court. The context seems to pertain to the the security breach with Higgins expressing concern that she may lose her job.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/its-pretty-bad-texts-reveal-moment-brittany-confided-in-ex-after-alleged-sexual-assault/news-story/b92fa352cf2e6cbb72c640291fa99c86</ref><ref>https://archive.ph/suRqd</ref> |
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| + | Note Section 72AA (Aggravated offences—pt 3 offences involving family violence) makes provision in relation to an aggravated offence against this section. |
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| − | == 6 October 2022 == |
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| + | (3) A person who, acting in company with any other person, engages in sexual intercourse with another person without the consent of that other person and who is reckless as to whether that other person consents to the sexual intercourse is guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by imprisonment for 14 years. |
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| − | Higgins claimed that she kept the dress she had worn during the alleged rape under her bed for six months. The court was then shown a photograph of her wearing it a few weeks later.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11286215/Brittany-Higgins-reveals-Lisa-Wilkinson-FURIOUS-timing-interview-Project.html</ref> |
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| + | (4) However, for an aggravated offence against subsection (3), the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 18 years. |
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| − | Higgins was questioned about her interactions with [[Lisa Wilkinson]] and in particular if she had arranged to record an interview.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/brittany-higgins-breaks-down-while-giving-evidence-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/16dd663c0d60c2b362ffc39bb280a9d7</ref> |
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| + | (5) For this section, proof of knowledge or recklessness is sufficient to establish the element of recklessness. |
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| − | == 7 October 2022 == |
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| + | </blockquote> |
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| + | As of 4 December 2022 Bruce Lehrmann is reportedly considering seeking compensation for unfair dismissal and for defamation from various media outlets.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/brittany-higgins-milliondollar-compensation-claim-after-collapse-of-rape-trial/news-story/62f64ec5c6410a545cd7c46e8d20316f</ref> |
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| − | Higgins admits deleting texts relevant to the police investigation before providing her phone to police.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-tells-court-she-didn-t-delete-text-message-about-not-reporting-alleged-rape-with-intention-of-keeping-it-from-police/ar-AA12GqNK</ref> |
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| + | On 2 February 2023 Bruce Lehrmann lodged a formal complain against the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Australian Capital Territory.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11701109/Bruce-Lehrmann-lodges-formal-complaint-against-DDP-Shane-Drumgold-Brittany-Higgins.html</ref> |
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| − | Higgins also stated that she "made a mistake" in her testimony when she said she put the dress in a plastic bag and put it under her bed for six months.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-tells-court-she-didn-t-delete-text-message-about-not-reporting-alleged-rape-with-intention-of-keeping-it-from-police/ar-AA12GqNK</ref> |
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| + | On 26 October 2023 it was announced that Bruce Lehrmann had been charged with two counts of rape from an alleged incidents occurring in 2021. This case was first mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates court in January 2023. |
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| − | https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/brittany-higgins-struggling-during-cross-examination-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/6dc0c6683ca6277671d72acff171d980 |
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| − | It was stated during the trial that Higgins told a representative of her employer that she intended to visit a doctor following the allegation that she was raped but that she did not do this.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/brittany-higgins-struggling-during-cross-examination-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/6dc0c6683ca6277671d72acff171d980</ref> |
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| − | https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/brittany-higgins-struggling-during-cross-examination-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/6dc0c6683ca6277671d72acff171d980 |
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| − | Higgins admitted under cross-examination that she knew that her partner, David Sharaz, had provided documents to journalists before she was interviewed by police.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-knew-her-partner-sent-documents-about-her-alleged-rape-to-journalists-before-her-police-interview-court-hears/ar-AA12GqNK</ref> |
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| − | Sharaz is himself a journalist.<ref>https://www.telummedia.com/public/news/david-sharaz-promoted-at-sca/wkv5p28d1n</ref><ref>https://archive.ph/mhzPr</ref> |
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| − | == 10 October 2022 == |
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| − | Higgins is unavailable to give evidence. The court proceeded with hearing other evidence however the [[mainstream media]] is barred from reporting on this testimony.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-again-unavailable-in-act-supreme-court-on-sixth-day-of-bruce-lehrmann-s-trial/ar-AA12Oy6b</ref> |
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| − | A non-publication order is in place until Higgins has completed her testimony.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/brittany-higgins-to-give-evidence-in-the-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-after-being-unavailable-for-four-days/news-story/7c05a0d675df2654f29ed34484de2de3</ref> |
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| − | == 11 October 2022 == |
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| − | Higgins is again unavailable to give evidence. The court has continued hearing other evidence however the [[mainstream media]] is still barred from reporting on this testimony.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-again-unavailable-in-act-supreme-court-on-sixth-day-of-bruce-lehrmann-s-trial/ar-AA12Oy6b</ref> |
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| − | A non-publication order is in place until Higgins has completed her testimony.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/brittany-higgins-to-give-evidence-in-the-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-after-being-unavailable-for-four-days/news-story/7c05a0d675df2654f29ed34484de2de3</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | == 12 October 2022 == |
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| − | Higgins is expected to resume giving evidence on Friday 14 October 2022.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-due-to-resume-evidence-in-bruce-lehrmann-trial/ar-AA12Rme6</ref> |
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| − | Today jurors were informed that the the trial is expected to conclude early.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/brittany-higgins-to-give-evidence-in-the-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-after-being-unavailable-for-four-days/news-story/7c05a0d675df2654f29ed34484de2de3</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | A non-publication order is in place until Higgins has completed her testimony.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/brittany-higgins-to-give-evidence-in-the-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-after-being-unavailable-for-four-days/news-story/7c05a0d675df2654f29ed34484de2de3</ref> |
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| − | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11306203/Brittany-Higgins-Bruce-Lehrmann-trial-Forensic-expert-finds-NO-trace-semen-cocktail-dress.html |
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| − | |||
| − | == 13 October 2022 == |
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| − | |||
| − | A non-publication order is in place until Higgins has completed her testimony.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/brittany-higgins-to-give-evidence-in-the-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-after-being-unavailable-for-four-days/news-story/7c05a0d675df2654f29ed34484de2de3</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | == 14 October 2022 == |
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| − | Higgins again gave testimony, this time addressing Bruce Lehrman directly.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-addresses-accused-rapist/ar-AA12VIzx</ref> |
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| − | The witness list has been reduced from 52 to 32.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-addresses-accused-rapist/ar-AA12VIzx</ref> |
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| − | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/brittany-higgins-returns-to-court-bruce-lehrmann-trial/101534848 |
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| − | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/parliamentary-witnesses-give-evidence-in-lehrmann-trial/101532580 |
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| − | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/rape-trial-shown-bruce-lehrmann-police-interview/101530814 |
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| − | https://www.9news.com.au/national/brittany-higgins-bruce-lehrmann-alleged-rape-trial-continues/59651db6-0491-4e28-88d6-043a541d9cd3 |
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| − | Testimony from a security guard indicates that Lehrmann was only in the minister's office for about 20 minutes.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/bruce-lehrmanns-whiskey-stop-at-parliament-house/news-story/41971205085191fe2f074afd6ffac565</ref> |
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| − | https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-final-day-in-witness-box/ar-AA12VIzx |
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| − | Bruce Lehrmann denies even being in the office in which it is alleged that he had sexual intercourse with Brittany Higgins without consent.<ref>https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/lehrmann-tells-police-he-had-innocuous-night-denies-going-to-reynolds-office-with-higgins-20221012-p5bp8r.html</ref> |
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== See Also == |
== See Also == |
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*[[Brittany Higgins]] |
*[[Brittany Higgins]] |
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| + | *[[David Sharaz]] |
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| − | *[[Timeline of Brittany Higgins Alleged Rape]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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| Line 92: | Line 42: | ||
[[Category: Australia]] |
[[Category: Australia]] |
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[[Category: Brittany Higgins]] |
[[Category: Brittany Higgins]] |
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| + | [[Category: Featured Articles]] |
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[[Category: Justice]] |
[[Category: Justice]] |
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| + | [[Category: Nolle Prosequi]] |
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Revision as of 12:29, 26 October 2023
Bruce Emery Lehrmann, born June 1995, College Station, Texas, is a former staffer for the Liberal Party of Australia. Bruce Lehrmann is a dual US-Australian citizen.[1][2]
Bruce Lehrmann was accused by former colleague Brittany Higgins of raping her in Parliament House, Canberra. Bruce Lehrmann has always denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty.
Bruce Lehrmann was subsequently charged with and tried for the rape of Higgins. While it initially appeared that there would be a hung jury the matter was dismissed following misconduct by a juror. Initially a retrial was set down for February 2023. On 2 December 2022 the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Australian Capital Territory, Shane Drumgold, announced that the charges against Bruce Lehrmann would be withdrawn.[3] This appears to constitute a nolle prosequi.
Bruce Lehrmann was reportedly on an annual salary of $200,000 while working for the Liberal Party of Australia. Following the trial he is broke and unemployed.[4]
For events leading up to the trial see the Timeline of Brittany Higgins Alleged Rape.
Bruce Lehrmann was charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent (s54 Crimes Act 1900, ACT):[5]
CRIMES ACT 1900 - SECT 54 Sexual intercourse without consent (1) A person who engages in sexual intercourse with another person without the consent of that other person and who is reckless as to whether that other person consents to the sexual intercourse is guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by imprisonment for 12 years.
(2) However, for an aggravated offence against subsection (1), the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 15 years.
Note Section 72AA (Aggravated offences—pt 3 offences involving family violence) makes provision in relation to an aggravated offence against this section.
(3) A person who, acting in company with any other person, engages in sexual intercourse with another person without the consent of that other person and who is reckless as to whether that other person consents to the sexual intercourse is guilty of an offence punishable, on conviction, by imprisonment for 14 years.
(4) However, for an aggravated offence against subsection (3), the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 18 years.
(5) For this section, proof of knowledge or recklessness is sufficient to establish the element of recklessness.
As of 4 December 2022 Bruce Lehrmann is reportedly considering seeking compensation for unfair dismissal and for defamation from various media outlets.[6]
On 2 February 2023 Bruce Lehrmann lodged a formal complain against the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Australian Capital Territory.[7]
On 26 October 2023 it was announced that Bruce Lehrmann had been charged with two counts of rape from an alleged incidents occurring in 2021. This case was first mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates court in January 2023.
See Also
References
- ↑ https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/10/27/bruce-lehrmann-who-is-he/
- ↑ https://biographytrend.com/bruce-lehrmann/
- ↑ https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/rape-charge-dropped-against-bruce-lehrmann-who-was-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-brittany-higgins/ar-AA14Nypl
- ↑ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11499757/Bruce-Lehrmann-loses-200k-political-staffer-job-Brittany-Higgins-accusation-loses-dole.html
- ↑ http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/ca190082/s54.html
- ↑ https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/brittany-higgins-milliondollar-compensation-claim-after-collapse-of-rape-trial/news-story/62f64ec5c6410a545cd7c46e8d20316f
- ↑ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11701109/Bruce-Lehrmann-lodges-formal-complaint-against-DDP-Shane-Drumgold-Brittany-Higgins.html