The jury has been discharged without a verdict in the trial of Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins.
Chief Justice McCallum dismissed the jurors this morning, after it was found that a juror had accessed information that had not been presented as evidence in court.
“It has come to my attention that contrary to directions I’ve given you have undertaken research into the case,” Justice McCallum told the court on Thursday morning.
“That information has made its way into the jury when it ought not to have.
“It may be that no harm has been done but that is not a risk I can take.”
A security officer had found an academic research paper into sexual assault sticking out of a juror’s folder, while cleaning the jury room.
Justice McCallum said she had no other choice but to discharge all the remaining jurors.
“During the course of the trial … I must have given the jury at least 17 warnings and prohibitions on undertaking any research of their own,” she said.
Up until now, the jury had not decided on a verdict, and had been deliberating for a week. The trial was held over 12 days.
Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual intercourse without consent.
Brittany Higgins gave an emotional statement outside the court, saying she’s learned just how “asymmetrical” the criminal justice system is.
“My life has been publicly scrutinized, open for the world to see. His was not,” she said.
“Many of you in the media have been called out for labelling this the Higgins Trial. I don’t blame you. Because it’s very clear who has been on trial.”
Justice McCallum has set a retrial date of February 23, and granted Lehrmann bail until February 20. The bail has been granted on the condition he doesn’t contact Brittany Higgins, and if he intends on leaving the country he must give the AFP his itinerary 2 weeks in advance.