The trial of the man accused of raping former political staffer Brittany Higgins has been delayed after a judge said media reporting around a speech by television reporter Lisa Wilkinson at the weekend’s Logie Awards put the hearing’s fairness at risk.
“Regrettably and with gritted teeth, I have concluded that the trial date of 27 June, towards which the parties have been carefully steering, should be vacated,” she said.Crown prosecutor Shane Drumgold indicated to the judge he would probably also ask the court to grant a non-publication order over the proceedings.The court heard Drumgold had met with Wilkinson on June 15 to discuss evidence she would give at the trial.
Earlier on Tuesday, McCallum warned in court that “the distinction between an allegation and a finding of guilt has been obliterated” in much of the public commentary surrounding the case. Drumgold argued the “undesirability of the media” could be dealt with through the jury selection process and the judge’s instructions to jurors.
Silly but hardly going to affect the trial, however Judge smells the defence agenda and they’ve avoided an appeal ! Next delay Covid question part of the defence team of the defendant? Justice delayed is justice denied 😢
she was apparently warned to keep quiet..
Doesn’t this presume that anyone watched the Logies?
Big mouth Wilkinson need wait for verdict by jury ?
All I see is a manbaby playing the real victim here. He'll drag this out as much as possible, when abusers can no longer control a victim, they will attempt to control how the victim is perceived. I'm glad that Lisa_Wilkinson spoke up and humanised the Logies2022
I cannot print what kind of women Wilkinson is. She is a celebrity but she thinks this position makes her intelligent and all knowing - it does not. She thinks she knows about these matters. She is now showing she is really a nobody going nowhere. Kick her out Peter F.
That is what can hurt all parties when high profile 'celebrities' keep wanting their multiple 15 minutes of fame. Ms Higgins deserves her day in court. So does judicial fairness and impartiality.
Wilkinson should not have mentioned it, and also, is there any reason it has to go before a jury? Is a judge only trail an option in the state ?
This is the problem with main stream media, they want to be the judge and jury on everything and control the narrative. Let the bloke have his day in court, if found guilty, then you can rip him a new one. But right now you do victims no favours.
When arguing media reporting predjudiced a case, you expect the defence to say something along the lines of 'The reporting in this matter, factually, is almost without exception wrong, contrary to the evidence that will be put to this courtroom' It was said by the prosecution
How is he ever going to get a fair trial?
Wilkinson should have known better.
Well done Lisa (sarcasm)
Charge her with contempt of court.
Wilkinson should be charged with contempt of court.
good one Lisa_Wilkinson
No doubt if Ms. Wilkinson had of named a pedophile she would be in gaol with the Aussie Cossack.
Reporter? Opinion giver.
This was intentional, they have no desire to go to trial where inconsistencies will be exposed. She would never have jeopardized the trial if they were serious of conviction. It was all a strategy to embarrass the previous gov, now they want it to go away quietly.
Trial by the court of Lisa Wilkinson. Guilty until proven innocent.