Afternoon Update: No retrial for Bruce Lehrmann; Chris Dawson sentenced; and viva magenta colour of the year
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Two major legal outcomes dominate the news today. Prosecutors have dropped the charges against Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, saying a retrial would pose an “unacceptable risk” to her health. Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual intercourse without consent and denied any sexual activity took place at all.
And Chris Dawson was sentenced to 24 years’ jail for the 1982 murder of his wife, Lynette, ending a long campaign for justice. With a non-parole period of 18 years, it’s likely Dawson – a former rugby league star and schoolteacher – will see out his final days behind bars.
Lehrmann trial | The ACT director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, announced the shock move this morning. Higgins was in hospital receiving treatment and support, her close friend Emma Webster said. Lehrmann had maintained his innocence to allegations he raped Higgins, a former colleague and fellow political staffer, in the office of the then defence industry minister, Linda Reynolds, in March 2019.
Dawson sentence | Dawson was found guilty in August of murdering his wife so he might have an unfettered relationship with a high school student who was also his babysitter, anonymised before the court as JC.
Jihadist extradition to Victoria | Accused Islamic State jihadist Neil Prakash – once considered the country’s most wanted terrorist – has appeared in a Darwin court over charges that could see him behind bars for life. The Melbourne-born former rapper is facing six terrorism charges after he allegedly joined and supported Islamic State in 2014, and will be extradited to Victoria by 9 December.
Covid update | The virus is still spreading in Victoria and New South Wales, with both states reporting increases in new cases in the last weekly reporting period. Victoria added 26,791 cases, with 54 deaths and 550 people in hospital. NSW added 37,796 cases, with 32 deaths and 1,481 people in hospital.
Law (Australia) | The Guardian
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