World News
Prosecution seeks to question prospective jurors in Bruce Lehrmann Queensland rape trial
A Queensland court will consider an application to vet potential jurors regarding pre-trial publicity ahead of a November trial.
The short version
- Queensland prosecutors plan to file an application to question potential jurors about their prior knowledge of Bruce Lehrmann and the allegations against him.
- The application under Section 47 of the Jury Act is prompted by concerns over prejudicial pre-trial publicity.
- The matter has been adjourned for two weeks for both legal teams to submit materials ahead of the trial scheduled for November 2.
Key facts
- Bruce Lehrmann is scheduled to stand trial starting November 2 in Queensland on allegations of twice raping a woman at a regional residence in 2021.[The Guardian]
- Prosecutor Caroline Marco announced plans in Toowoomba District Court to apply under section 47 of the Queensland Jury Act to question prospective jurors due to pre-trial publicity.[The Guardian]
- Section 47 allows a judge to permit the questioning and potential cross-examination of potential jurors under oath if special reasons, such as pre-trial publicity, are established.[The Guardian]
- Judge Dennis Lynch adjourned the pre-trial proceedings for two weeks for material filings, while continuing Lehrmann's bail.[The Guardian]
- Lehrmann has not entered a formal plea in court, though past counsel indicated he intends to contest the charges.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It remains undecided whether the judge will find special reasons to grant the prosecutor's section 47 application and allow jury questioning.[The Guardian]