![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/australian-parliament-rape-trial-aborted/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AA13pY7o.jpeg&description=The case of a former political adviser accused of raping a colleague inside Australia's Parliament House has been aborted after juror "misconduct". © Getty Images Bruce Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to rape Bruce Lehrmann, 27, denies sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins on a government minister's sofa after a night out in March 2019. He says they did not have sex at all.But after a 12-day trial and five days of deliberation the jury was discharged after it emerged one member had looked at academic research on sexual assault."It may be that no harm has been done, but that is not a risk I can take," Chief Justice Lucy McCallum told a Canberra court.Judge McCallum estimated she had given the jury at least 17 and "possibly considerably more" warnings about undertaking research of their own. Before giving her account to police in early 2021, Ms Higgins gave up her right to anonymity and went public with her claims in high-profile newspaper and television interviews.Her allegations were a catalyst for what's been called Australia's 'Me Too moment' - prompting nationwide protests and discussion about the safety of women, and exposing a toxic workplace culture inside Australian politics.This is a breaking news story - more to follow. Continue Reading Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Visit site Send MSN Feedback Please give an overall site rating: Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window){kind=link}
The case of a former political adviser accused of raping a colleague inside Australia’s Parliament House has been aborted after juror “misconduct”.
Bruce Lehrmann, 27, denies sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins on a government minister’s sofa after a night out in March 2019.
He says they did not have sex at all.
But after a 12-day trial and five days of deliberation the jury was discharged when it emerged one member had looked at academic research on sexual assault.
Juries are required to decide a case only on evidence presented in court.