Bruce Lehrmann

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ActivelyDisinterested (talk | contribs) at 20:06, 17 April 2024 (→‎Defamation trial: non-primary source). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Bruce Lehrmann
BornJune 1995 (age 28)
College Station, Texas, United States
NationalityAustralian
Alma materAustralian National University
Occupation(s)Lobbyist, political staffer.
Known forAlleged rape at Parliament House

Bruce Lehrmann (born June 1995) is a former Australian political staffer who worked at Parliament House, Canberra. In 2021 he was accused of rape by Brittany Higgins. He was subsequently charged with rape and committed to trial. The trial was later abandoned after juror misconduct. The Federal Court of Australia, in a civil court trial, later found that on the balance of probabilities Lehrmann raped Higgins.

Early life

Born in College Station, Texas, in June 1995,[1] Lehrmann grew up in Toowoomba.[2] He moved to Canberra to study at ANU, where he began his political career.

Career

Lehrmann commenced work with the office of the Attorney-General of Australia and worked for various ministries until he joined Linda Reynolds's office in 2018. He has worked as a political staffer for the Liberal Party, and as a lobbyist for British American Tobacco.[3]

Rape allegation

On 15 February 2021, Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins alleged to two media outlets, news.com.au and The Project,[4] that she was raped in the early hours of 23 March 2019 in then-Defence Industry Minister Senator Linda Reynolds' office in the ministerial wing of Parliament House by a colleague, later named as Bruce Lehrmann, after security guards admitted the pair into the building.[5][6] Higgins said she became heavily intoxicated at a work party and left with her colleague in a taxi, believing they would both be dropped at their respective homes; instead she said she was taken to Parliament House and raped while slipping in and out of consciousness,[7][8] waking to find her skirt around her waist.[9] In contrast, Lehrmann told police that he and Higgins returned to Parliament House because he needed to pick up his keys, and as Higgins indicated she also needed to return to the office he offered to share his Uber ride.[10] Once they arrived in Reynolds' suite, Lehrmann said he "turned left towards his desk, while Ms Higgins turned right and went to a different part of the office".[10] After working "on a briefing for Parliament's question time," Lehrmann said he left the office without seeing Higgins again.[10][11] Higgins was later found completely naked,[6] inebriated and disoriented in the early hours of the morning in the minister's office.[4]

Three days later, on 26 March 2019, Lehrmann was told by Fiona Brown, Reynolds' chief of staff, to "collect his belongings from the office and leave" because of his late-night entry into the office at 1:48 am on the previous Saturday, and an earlier unrelated incident of him mishandling a classified document,[6][12] with Reynolds consequently terminating Lehrmann's employment formally on 5 April 2019.[13] On 1 April 2019, Reynolds called Higgins to her office to discuss Higgins' late-night entry into the office, which Reynolds "believed to be a security breach [...] describing the decision of two staff to come into the office at 1:40 am as 'highly unusual' and not appropriate".[14] Higgins went to the police after the alleged rape, but dropped the complaint in April 2019, fearful the report would result in termination of her employment.[15] Eventually Higgins transferred to work for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Minister Michaelia Cash for a year before resigning a month before going public with her allegations.[5]

Over the following weeks, three more women alleged they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by Lehrmann, between 2016 and 2020.[16][17] One woman alleged on 20 February 2021 she was raped in 2020 by him after the pair had dinner and drinks.[18][19] On 22 February 2021, a second woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by Lehrmann in 2016.[19] A third woman also accused him of unwanted advances and stroking her thigh under the table at a Canberra bar in 2017.[16][19] After the story went public, and even though Lehrmann was not named in publications,[20] he was stood aside from his job at a large corporation where he had worked from July 2020.[16] He checked himself into a Sydney hospital and the next day he was in a private rehabilitation clinic.[16]

Rape trial

Lehrmann, appeared by telephone at the Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory on 5 November 2021 and pleaded not guilty. He was committed for trial in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.[21] In April 2022 Lehrmann's defence team applied to have his trial halted indefinitely as an apology from then-prime minister Scott Morrison to Higgins "imputed the accused with guilt of the offence or at least implicitly assumed the truthfulness of the complaint",[22] and could endanger Lehrmann's right to a fair trial.[23][24] The judge dismissed the application, saying that a jury member being aware of pre-trial publicity "is not of itself problematic".[22] Higgins made a complaint against the Australian Federal Police for unlawfully giving Lehrmann's defence team protected evidence, including counselling notes and video recordings.[25] The trial was further delayed in June 2022 following the judge warning that the line between allegation and a finding of guilt had been "obliterated" in an acceptance speech by Lisa Wilkinson at the Logie Awards of 2022 and in commentary following the speech.[26]

The trial of Lehrmann began on 4 October 2022.[27] It concluded on 19 October, and the jury retired to consider its verdict.[28][29] On 27 October, the trial was abandoned after it was discovered that a juror had conducted private research and taken their findings into the jury room.[30][31] Higgins subsequently criticised the criminal justice system on live television, saying it "has long failed to deliver outcomes to victims of sexual assault".[32] Lehrmann's lawyer said "We have brought [Higgins'] comments to the attention of the court and the Australian Federal Police ... as to whether the complainant's statements might amount to a contempt of court or offences against the ACT Criminal Code".[32]

The matter was relisted for 20 February 2023,[30][31] although a senior barrister soon after said it remained to be seen if the case is retried, given the extent of comments by politicians and media personalities now making Lehrmann virtually untriable.[33] In December 2022 the case was dropped by Shane Drumgold, the Director of Public Prosecutions,[34][35][36] stating it was "no longer in the public interest to pursue a prosecution" after receiving evidence "that the ongoing trauma associated with this prosecution presents a significant and unacceptable risk to the life of the complainant".[37][38] On 3 December 2022 it emerged that police assessed the evidence as insufficient to prosecute,[39][40] and "expressed a number of concerns about the case".[39] The accused "consistently maintained his innocence and the case against him was not proven",[37] with the Director of Public Prosecutions declaring that "this brings the prosecution to an end."[37] However, the manner in which the case transpired was criticised.[36][41]

Rape trial enquiry

The Guardian reported on 8 December that a letter sent in November by Drumgold to the ACT police chief asked for a public enquiry into the case to look at "both political and police conduct". The letter also alleged that police investigators were "clearly aligned with the successful defence of this matter".[42][43][44] The Australian Federal Police Association published a statement calling the allegations a "smear" and unproven while also calling for an investigation into the case.[43] The ACT government subsequently announced an independent inquiry into the case. The inquiry is expected to report its findings in the first half of 2023.[45]

Spotlight interview

In June 2023 Lehrmann sat down for an interview with Seven News' Spotlight current affairs program.[46] In October 2023, Seven Network's nomination for a Walkley Award was revoked after it was revealed that the network had paid for one year's rent as well as other expenses for Lehrmann, and the network had not accurately declared it.[47] The interview was the subject of much media attention during subsequent defamation proceedings as consequence of revelations during court proceedings.[48][49]

Subsequent rape trial

On 26 October 2023, it was revealed that, in December 2022, Lehrmann was charged with two counts of rape in a matter unrelated to the allegations made by Brittany Higgins. The alleged events occurred in Toowoomba in October 2021. He is awaiting trial on that matter. Lehrmann's identity had been the subject of a suppression order in the interim.[50][51][52]

Defamation trial

In 2023, Lehrmann sued Lisa Wilkinson and Network Ten for defamation over the interview with Higgins which aired on The Project in 2021.[53] Lehrmann told the court that Wilkinson destroyed his right to a "fair criminal trial".[54] Lehrmann claimed in court that he felt isolated and ostracised after Higgins' interview on The Project. He said "I became severely isolated", and admitted to a private hospital suffering emotional distress.[55]

On 15 April 2024, Justice Michael Lee of the Federal Court ruled that on the balance of probabilities Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in 2019.[56][57] During his judgment Justice Lee remarked "Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins," and shortly after "Having escaped the lion's den, Mr Lehrmann made the mistake of coming back for his hat."[58]

In describing the subsequent legal proceedings and media reporting, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee said in his judgement: "the underlying controversy has become a cause célèbre. Indeed, given its unexpected detours and the collateral damage it has occasioned, it might be more fitting to describe it as an omnishambles."[59][60]

Speaking role at conference

Lehrmann was initially due to speak at a Restoring the Presumption of Innocence conference organised by Bettina Arndt in June 2024. Arndt, described as one of Lehrmann's central supporters, has categorically denied raising money for or asking anyone to pay money to Lehrmann.[61] However, Lehrmann later withdrew as a speaker a day after the conclusion of his defamation trial, being "concerned that his participation may threaten the audience, jeopardise this important event, and distract from its main purpose".[62]

References

  1. ^ Hardaker, David (27 October 2022). "Who is Bruce Lehrmann?". Crikey. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Bruce Lehrmann named as man accused of rape in Toowoomba". ABC News. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  3. ^ Knaus, Christopher (24 March 2023). "Bruce Lehrmann told employer 'false allegations' had not hurt his ability to lobby effectively, documents show". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b Osborne, Paul (18 February 2021). "Timeline of Higgins incident and response". 7NEWS. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b Stayner, Tom (2 March 2021). "How Australian politics has been shaken to the core in the wake of Brittany Higgins's rape allegation". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Byrne, Elizabeth; Radford, Antoinette; Frost, Harry (14 October 2022). "Parliamentary security found Brittany Higgins naked 'in foetal position' after alleged rape, court hears". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  7. ^ Maiden, Samantha (15 February 2021). "Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped at Parliament House". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  8. ^ Khalil, Shaimaa; Atkinson, Simon (5 October 2022). "Brittany Higgins felt 'trapped' during alleged rape in Australian parliament - court". BBC News. Canberra: British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022. Ms Higgins said she and Mr Lehrmann had agreed to share a ride home after a night out with colleagues but stopped at Parliament House. Ms Higgins said she was 'the most drunk I have been in my life' and had passed out on a couch. She told police she woke to find Mr Lehrmann having sex with her. Crying, she told him 'stop' and 'no'.
  9. ^ Baird, Julia (19 February 2021). "What the PM should tell colleagues about the Brittany Higgins case: 'It sickens me. If it doesn't sicken you, your time is up'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Byrne, Elizabeth; Radford, Antoinette; Frost, Harry (14 October 2022). "Bruce Lehrmann told police he wanted to die after learning he was accused of raping Brittany Higgins". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  11. ^ Gould, Courtney (14 October 2022). "Bruce Lehrmann's 45 minutes inside of Parliament House". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  12. ^ Byrne, Elizabeth (15 October 2022). "Second week of Bruce Lehrmann rape trial sees his police interview and parliamentary witnesses testify in ACT Supreme Court". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022. It was the jury's first chance to hear his account. He restated several times that he had not had sexual intercourse with Ms Higgins. [...] He told police he'd lost his job after that night, because his entry to Parliament House had triggered a security investigation. Mr Lehrmann told police that, in the following week, he was asked to go into an office by his then chief of staff Fiona Brown, and not to bring his phone or a notebook. He said he was told it would be best if he left his position, since it was the second security investigation involving him, after an earlier unrelated incident.
  13. ^ Maiden, Samantha (15 October 2022). "'Ashamed': Bruce Lehrmann's apology letter to minister revealed". Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022. It has been brought to my attention that you recently entered Parliament House and my ministerial suite outside of business hours for non-work purposes and were dishonest about the reasons for entering my office. I am advised that when you sought entry to parliament house after hours, you did so by reporting to security that you were required to attend my office for important official business. You have subsequently advised my Chief of Staff, Ms Fiona Brown, that this was not the case and that you entered for non-work related reasons.
  14. ^ Foster, Ally (17 October 2022). "Brittany Higgins: Michaelia Cash grilled in Bruce Lehrmann rape trial". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022. Bruce Lehrmann is accused of sexually assaulting the former Liberal staffer in the former defence minister's office in the early hours of March 23, 2019. [...] Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has told the ACT Supreme Court that she did not know of a sexual assault allegation when she called Brittany Higgins to her office on April 1, 2019, to discuss a late night security incident. [...] Senator Cash was questioned by the prosecution over Ms Higgins' claims that she had revealed her sexual assault allegations to the senator prior to February 5th, 2021. [...] She [Senator Cash] told the court she did not know there was a 'sexual element' to the situation until February 2021.
  15. ^ Albeck-Ripka, Livia (24 February 2021). "She Made a 'Soul-Destroying' Rape Claim. Then 3 Others Came Forward". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d Curtis, Katina; Bonyhady, Nick; Smith, Alexandra (23 February 2021). "'Not a nice person': Man accused of Parliament rape stood down from current job". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  17. ^ Thompson, Angus (2 December 2022). "Media alleged that Bruce Lehrmann assaulted other women: court". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  18. ^ Visontay, Elias (20 February 2021). "Scott Morrison 'very upset' after reports second Liberal staffer assaulted by man who allegedly raped Brittany Higgins". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022. The second woman claims they met up in 2020 for dinner and, after the former staffer bought her several drinks, the pair went to her home, where she was allegedly raped.
  19. ^ a b c Mao, Frances (2 March 2021). "How rape allegations have rocked Australian politics". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  20. ^ Bannister, Maeve (2 December 2022). "Documents show other Lehrmann allegations". The Examiner. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Man committed to stand trial for alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in 2019". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 5 November 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  22. ^ a b Thompson, Angus (26 October 2022). "Scott Morrison's apology to Brittany Higgins risked fair trial: lawyer". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Australia: Parliament rape case abruptly ends in mistrial". Deutsche Welle. 27 October 2022. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  24. ^ Byrne, Elizabeth (29 October 2022). "How the immense interest in Brittany Higgins changed the way the media reported Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial". ABC News. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  25. ^ Tingle, Laura (27 April 2022). "Brittany Higgins complains AFP unlawfully disclosed evidence in sexual assault case to defence team". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  26. ^ Gould, Courtney (21 June 2022). "Major decision in Brittany Higgins rape case handed down". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  27. ^ Maley, Jacqueline (4 October 2022). "Judge gets straight to the point in trial of Bruce Lehrmann". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  28. ^ Thompson, Angus (19 October 2022). "Judge in Lehrmann trial warns jury not to be swayed by popular opinion". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  29. ^ Shorten, Kristin; Vaga, Remi (26 October 2022). "Lehrmann jury can't agree on rape verdict". The Australian. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  30. ^ a b Byrne, Elizabeth; Mannheim, Markus (27 October 2022). "Jury discharged in trial of Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of raping Brittany Higgins". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  31. ^ a b Thompson, Angus (26 October 2022). "Lehrmann's barrister refers Higgins' public statement to court, police". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  32. ^ a b Thompson, Angus (27 October 2022). "Lehrmann's barrister refers Higgins' public statement to court, police". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  33. ^ Percy, Tom. "Leading KC Tom Percy believes Bruce Lehrmann can 'never be retried'". 6PR Mornings (Interview). Interviewed by Liam Bartlett. Perth: 6PR. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  34. ^ Maley, Jacqueline (2 December 2022). "The Lehrmann trial is over – but it will never really be over". The Age. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  35. ^ "New bombshell in rape trial that shook the Liberal Government". A Current Affair, Nine. 2 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  36. ^ a b Sarre, Rick (2 December 2022). "Two clear lessons from the abandoned Bruce Lehrmann trial". New Daily. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  37. ^ a b c Burnside, Niki; Byrne, Elizabeth (1 December 2022). "Rape charge dropped against Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  38. ^ Bannister, Maeve (2 December 2022). "Prosecution drops Bruce Lehrmann rape case". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  39. ^ a b Doherty, Ben (22 May 2023). "Police did not believe evidence was sufficient to take Bruce Lehrmann to trial, inquiry hears". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  40. ^ Knaus, Christopher (3 December 2022). "'Greatly concerned': prosecutor warns of potentially 'unlawful' disclosures about Brittany Higgins". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  41. ^ Boland, Steve (5 December 2022). "Don't judge the legal system for sorry saga of the Lehrmann trial". WA Today. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  42. ^ Knaus, Christopher (8 December 2022). "Prosecutor alleges police 'aligned with defence' in Bruce Lehrmann case and claims 'inappropriate interference'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  43. ^ a b James Massola; Caroline Schelle (8 December 2022). "Police union calls for inquiry into Lehrmann case after prosecutor alleges interference". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  44. ^ Byrne, Elizabeth (8 December 2022). "Police union hits back at ACT's top prosecutor after he criticised officers' actions during Bruce Lehrmann trial". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  45. ^ Karp, Paul (20 December 2022). "Independent inquiry to be held into handling of Brittany Higgins' allegations against Bruce Lehrmann". the Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  46. ^ Bruce Lehrmann Exclusive: Bombshell new interviews and evidence | 7 NEWS Spotlight #documentary. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  47. ^ Jaspan, Calum (7 December 2023). "Seven's Lehrmann scoop disqualified from Walkley Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  48. ^ Ryan, Peter; Ainsworth, Kate (5 April 2024). "Bruce Lehrmann's interview could bring down Spotlight and risks what remains of Seven's reputation". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  49. ^ Lyons, Kate; Meade, Amanda (5 April 2024). "Bruce Lehrmann discussed $200,000 payment for controversial Spotlight interview, defamation trial told". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  50. ^ "Bruce Lehrmann named as man accused of rape in Toowoomba". ABC News. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  51. ^ "Bruce Lehrmann named as man in Toowoomba". ABC News. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Why we couldn't tell you about Bruce". ABC News. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  53. ^ Bell, Patrick (28 November 2023). "Bruce Lehrmann tells court he believes Brittany Higgins's fiance sent him threatening email titled 'Coming for you'". ABC News Australia. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  54. ^ "Bruce Lehrmann doubles down on defamation claims". Nine News. 28 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  55. ^ Meade , Amanda (22 November 2023). "Bruce Lehrmann says he became 'severely isolated' after Brittany Higgins interview as he speaks in court for first time". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  56. ^ Stonehouse, Greta; Bell, Patrick; Miller, Daniel; Courty, Audrey (14 April 2024). "Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten fails, after judge finds 'substantial truth' to story — as it happened". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  57. ^ Judge rules Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins 'without caring whether she consented' | ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  58. ^ Toomey, J. "Federal Court judge finds Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins, defamation case fails". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  59. ^ Lyons, Kate (15 April 2024). "A 'hapless' Bumble date, Qing dynasty ceramics and the Algonquin round table: the best lines from the Bruce Lehrmann verdict". The Guardian.
  60. ^ Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty imited [2024] FCA 369, Federal Court (Australia)
  61. ^ McClymont, Kate (7 April 2024). "Want to hear from Bruce Lehrmann about the justice system? That will be $100 a ticket, please". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  62. ^ "Lehrmann withdraws from 'presumption of innocence' speaking role". The New Daily. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bruce_Lehrmann&oldid=1219444704"