Difference between revisions of "Bruce Emery Lehrmann"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
| (46 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | [[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> |
||
| − | For events leading up to the trial see the [[Timeline of Brittany Higgins Alleged Rape]]. |
||
| + | 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. |
||
| − | == Charge == |
||
| + | [[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for the Australian Capital Territory, Shane Drumgold, announced that the charges against Bruce Lehrmann would be withdrawn.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]]. |
||
| − | Bruce Lehrmann is 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> |
||
| + | |||
| + | 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> |
||
| + | |||
| + | For events leading up to the trial see the [[Brittany_Higgins#Time_Line_of_Alleged_Rape|Timeline of Brittany Higgins Alleged Rape]]. |
||
| + | |||
| + | 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> |
||
<blockquote> |
<blockquote> |
||
| Line 21: | Line 27: | ||
</blockquote> |
</blockquote> |
||
| + | 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> |
||
| − | == Trial == |
||
| + | 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> |
||
| − | === 4 October 2022 === |
||
| + | 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. |
||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 5 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 6 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 7 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/brittany-higgins-struggling-during-cross-examination-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/6dc0c6683ca6277671d72acff171d980 |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/brittany-higgins-struggling-during-cross-examination-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/6dc0c6683ca6277671d72acff171d980 |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 10 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 11 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 12 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11306203/Brittany-Higgins-Bruce-Lehrmann-trial-Forensic-expert-finds-NO-trace-semen-cocktail-dress.html |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 13 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 14 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/brittany-higgins-returns-to-court-bruce-lehrmann-trial/101534848 |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/parliamentary-witnesses-give-evidence-in-lehrmann-trial/101532580 |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-14/rape-trial-shown-bruce-lehrmann-police-interview/101530814 |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.9news.com.au/national/brittany-higgins-bruce-lehrmann-alleged-rape-trial-continues/59651db6-0491-4e28-88d6-043a541d9cd3 |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/brittany-higgins-final-day-in-witness-box/ar-AA12VIzx |
||
| − | |||
| − | 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> |
||
| − | |||
| − | Higgins admitted that she was not wearing underwear on the night of the alleged rape. This contradicts statements she made to [[Lisa Wilkinson]] during an research interview in which she claimed that Bruce Lehrmann had removed her underwear.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11314181/Brittany-Higgins-says-shes-embarrassed-court-clothing.html</ref> |
||
| − | |||
| − | Higgins also admitted that she had started an outline for a future book before participating in a formal interview with police.<ref>https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/higgins-deleted-messages-pictures-from-phone-court-told-20221007-p5bnyi</ref> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 17 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | A photograph of a bruise on Higgins' leg has been challenged in court. The court heard that there was no record of the image of the bruise until 2021.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/crucial-bruise-photo-in-brittany-higgins-case-challenged-during-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial/news-story/fe193d47c113706182cfac5c1bcdd2c3</ref> |
||
| − | |||
| − | Senator Reynolds took the stand and was accused of attempting to coach defence lawyers and of seeking to obtain transcripts |
||
| − | |||
| − | Senator Reynolds was accused by the prosecution of texting a defence barrister and seeking to obtain transcripts of Higgins' testimony before coming to court herself. Reynolds was accused by the prosecution of providing advice to the defence barrister in relation to certain evidence.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/senator-linda-reynolds-accused-of-attempting-to-coach-defence-lawyers-in-brittany-higgins-cross-examination/ar-AA132jLX</ref> |
||
| − | |||
| − | Senator Reynolds also admits that her partner has been attending the trial.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/senator-linda-reynolds-admits-partner-attended-bruce-lehrmann-trial-for-alleged-rape-of-staffer-brittany-higgins/ar-AA131Sjn</ref> |
||
| − | |||
| − | Senator Michaela Cash also gave evidence and rejected the claim that she knew about the alleged rape before 5 February 2021.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/brittany-higgins-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial-enters-its-final-days/news-story/d582e42ad705057491677435bc238298</ref> |
||
| − | |||
| − | === 18 October 2022 === |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/a-fall-court-hears-new-theory-on-brittany-bruise-mystery/news-story/29311051f2543591b7461dfee4ce8d5e |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/accused-attracted-to-brittany-court-told/news-story/de3d19ad484bd7f168a1a83951d0e709 |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11326051/Brittany-Higgins-Bruce-Lehrmann-rape-trial-Read-prosecutions-closing-argument.html |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/i-categorically-and-utterly-reject-that-assertion-5-key-moments-from-bruce-lehrmann-s-trial/ar-AA1352Hy |
||
| − | |||
| − | https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/crown-prosecutor-poses-five-key-questions-in-bruce-lehrmann-rape-trial-as-he-defends-brittany-higgins-as-a-credible-witness/news-story/5c28e6b49104458d09bee818f6743350 |
||
| − | |||
| − | == Standard of Proof == |
||
| − | |||
| − | In order to secure a conviction all elements of the offence must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. As of 14 October 2022 Bruce Lehrmann denies that he was present in the office in which the alleged rape occured, and that he had sexual intercourse with Brittany Higgins. In order to secure a conviction in a fair and reasonable court the prosecution would need to establish that he was present at the time and place of the offence, that he had sexual intercourse with Higgins and that it was non-consenual. |
||
| − | |||
| − | In order to put a matter before the courts the state should show there is a ''reasonable prospect of conviction'' which is a lower standard than that required for conviction, ''beyond reasonable doubt''. Unless the prosecution has access to strong evidence that has not been disclosed publicly, and given the circumstances of this case, it is difficult to see how the prosecution could meet the standard of ''reasonable prospect of conviction'' let alone ''beyond reasonable doubt''. |
||
== See Also == |
== See Also == |
||
*[[Brittany Higgins]] |
*[[Brittany Higgins]] |
||
| + | *[[David Sharaz]] |
||
| − | *[[Timeline of Brittany Higgins Alleged Rape]] |
||
| + | {{AU}} |
||
| − | == References == |
||
| + | {{BH}} |
||
| + | {{Featured}} |
||
| + | {{Justice}} |
||
| + | {{Nolle Prosequi}} |
||
| + | == References == |
||
| − | [[Category: Australia]] |
||
| − | [[Category: Brittany Higgins]] |
||
| − | [[Category: Justice]] |
||
Latest revision as of 13:46, 7 September 2024
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