NEW DELHI: An Australian decide, in an unprecedented transfer, determined to reopen a high-profile defamation trial involving Bruce Lehrmann, a former Liberal Get together political aide. This trial, which has captured nationwide consideration, revolves round accusations leveled towards Lehrmann and his entangled important media networks, notably Seven West Media and its Seven community.
The genesis of this authorized saga traces again to 2019 when Brittany Higgins, a authorities staffer, alleged she was sexually assaulted by a colleague throughout the precincts of Parliament Home following an evening of revelry in Canberra.Lehrmann, the accused, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, pleading not responsible to the cost of sexual activity with out consent.
Nevertheless, the trial confronted an abrupt halt in 2022 as a consequence of juror misconduct. Quite than pursuing a retrial, prosecutors opted to drop the fees, citing considerations for Higgins’ well-being if subjected to additional authorized proceedings. Left with out recourse to refute the allegations, Lehrmann initiated defamation proceedings towards media shops for his or her preliminary protection of the case.
Whereas two media entities opted to settle the matter by overlaying substantial authorized bills, Community Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson opted to contest the accusations, counting on a protection primarily based on reality. This protection primarily tasked their authorized representatives with demonstrating, on the stability of possibilities, that Lehrmann certainly raped Higgins.
In response to CNN, the focus of the defamation trial was the alleged rape incident, which Higgins dropped at gentle in 2021. In an unique interview with Lisa Wilkinson on Community Ten’s “The Venture,” Higgins recounted the occasions of that fateful night time, alleging that she was assaulted in Parliament Home after accompanying a person there.
The revelation reverberated all through Australian political circles, prompting an apology from then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who pledged to deal with the prevailing tradition throughout the parliamentary atmosphere. Regardless of in a roundabout way naming Lehrmann, Higgins asserted that adequate data was supplied in the course of the interview to determine him because the perpetrator.
Unable to pursue the defamation case concurrently together with his prison trial, Lehrmann sought permission from the court docket to increase the timeframe for submitting his declare, resulting in a protracted authorized course of.
In the course of the trial, which unfolded in late 2023, Lehrmann and Higgins traded accusations and counter-accusations, every vehemently denying the opposite’s model of occasions. Notably, Lehrmann, who had avoided testifying throughout his prison trial, offered his aspect of the story for the primary time in court docket, following an earlier look on Seven’s “Highlight” program.
Latest proceedings within the defamation trial make clear startling revelations concerning the negotiations previous Lehrmann’s look on “Highlight.” Former producer Taylor Auerbach disclosed particulars suggesting discussions of monetary compensation in trade for Lehrmann’s unique interview.
In court docket testimony, Taylor Auerbach revealed discussions a few potential fee to Lehrmann in trade for an unique interview with Channel Seven, as reported by The Guardian. Auerbach indicated that Lehrmann’s media adviser, John Macgowan, was concerned in these discussions.
In response to textual content messages offered in court docket, Auerbach mentioned that Macgowan was conscious of one other particular person, Vikki Campion, who had obtained $150,000 for an interview with Seven. Auerbach claimed that Macgowan recommended a beginning determine of $200,000 for Lehrmann’s interview.
Auerbach talked about that he and Macgowan thought of the potential for paying Lehrmann by means of a belief reasonably than straight. Extra bills, similar to rent automobile prices, receipts from a George Road bar, and a $750 cost labeled as “pre-production bills,” have been additionally mentioned.
Auerbach alleged that the $750 cost was for Lehrmann’s expenditure on cocaine and prostitutes in the course of the proceedings, in line with the Guardian. Matthew Richardson SC, representing Lehrmann, sarcastically identified the implausibility of overlaying two nights of illicit actions with such a minimal expense.
Community Ten’s authorized consultant emphasised the importance of Auerbach’s testimony in assessing the credibility of Lehrmann’s claims, notably in figuring out potential damages if the defamation case dominated in his favor.
In response to those revelations, Community Seven launched an announcement refuting the allegations, asserting that such behaviors don’t align with the community’s values.
The genesis of this authorized saga traces again to 2019 when Brittany Higgins, a authorities staffer, alleged she was sexually assaulted by a colleague throughout the precincts of Parliament Home following an evening of revelry in Canberra.Lehrmann, the accused, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, pleading not responsible to the cost of sexual activity with out consent.
Nevertheless, the trial confronted an abrupt halt in 2022 as a consequence of juror misconduct. Quite than pursuing a retrial, prosecutors opted to drop the fees, citing considerations for Higgins’ well-being if subjected to additional authorized proceedings. Left with out recourse to refute the allegations, Lehrmann initiated defamation proceedings towards media shops for his or her preliminary protection of the case.
Whereas two media entities opted to settle the matter by overlaying substantial authorized bills, Community Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson opted to contest the accusations, counting on a protection primarily based on reality. This protection primarily tasked their authorized representatives with demonstrating, on the stability of possibilities, that Lehrmann certainly raped Higgins.
In response to CNN, the focus of the defamation trial was the alleged rape incident, which Higgins dropped at gentle in 2021. In an unique interview with Lisa Wilkinson on Community Ten’s “The Venture,” Higgins recounted the occasions of that fateful night time, alleging that she was assaulted in Parliament Home after accompanying a person there.
The revelation reverberated all through Australian political circles, prompting an apology from then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who pledged to deal with the prevailing tradition throughout the parliamentary atmosphere. Regardless of in a roundabout way naming Lehrmann, Higgins asserted that adequate data was supplied in the course of the interview to determine him because the perpetrator.
Unable to pursue the defamation case concurrently together with his prison trial, Lehrmann sought permission from the court docket to increase the timeframe for submitting his declare, resulting in a protracted authorized course of.
In the course of the trial, which unfolded in late 2023, Lehrmann and Higgins traded accusations and counter-accusations, every vehemently denying the opposite’s model of occasions. Notably, Lehrmann, who had avoided testifying throughout his prison trial, offered his aspect of the story for the primary time in court docket, following an earlier look on Seven’s “Highlight” program.
Latest proceedings within the defamation trial make clear startling revelations concerning the negotiations previous Lehrmann’s look on “Highlight.” Former producer Taylor Auerbach disclosed particulars suggesting discussions of monetary compensation in trade for Lehrmann’s unique interview.
In court docket testimony, Taylor Auerbach revealed discussions a few potential fee to Lehrmann in trade for an unique interview with Channel Seven, as reported by The Guardian. Auerbach indicated that Lehrmann’s media adviser, John Macgowan, was concerned in these discussions.
In response to textual content messages offered in court docket, Auerbach mentioned that Macgowan was conscious of one other particular person, Vikki Campion, who had obtained $150,000 for an interview with Seven. Auerbach claimed that Macgowan recommended a beginning determine of $200,000 for Lehrmann’s interview.
Auerbach talked about that he and Macgowan thought of the potential for paying Lehrmann by means of a belief reasonably than straight. Extra bills, similar to rent automobile prices, receipts from a George Road bar, and a $750 cost labeled as “pre-production bills,” have been additionally mentioned.
Auerbach alleged that the $750 cost was for Lehrmann’s expenditure on cocaine and prostitutes in the course of the proceedings, in line with the Guardian. Matthew Richardson SC, representing Lehrmann, sarcastically identified the implausibility of overlaying two nights of illicit actions with such a minimal expense.
Community Ten’s authorized consultant emphasised the importance of Auerbach’s testimony in assessing the credibility of Lehrmann’s claims, notably in figuring out potential damages if the defamation case dominated in his favor.
In response to those revelations, Community Seven launched an announcement refuting the allegations, asserting that such behaviors don’t align with the community’s values.
