After-hours workplace go to lies
Lehrmann has additionally admitted he lied to Reynolds’ then chief of workers, Fiona Brown, when he informed her on March 26 that he entered the workplace after hours to have a drink, and in addition lied to safety guards at Parliament Home when he informed them on March 23 that he wanted to enter the constructing as a result of he had been “requested to select up some paperwork”.
He has informed the courtroom the correct account was that he went again to parliament to select up his keys and to work on some query time briefs, and that he didn’t see Higgins once more as soon as he went to his desk.
‘Pash’ denied
Beneath cross-examination on Friday, Lehrmann denied he “pashed” Higgins whereas sitting in a sales space that evening at Canberra bar 88mph.
“You by no means pashed her at any time?” Collins requested.
“No,” Lehrmann replied.
The courtroom heard Lehrmann prompt on Seven’s Highlight program {that a} staffer current on the evening had made up a declare he kissed Higgins.
“Do you wish to withdraw that accusation?” Collins requested.
“No, I stand by that,” Lehrmann stated. The kiss declare was raised in Lehrmann’s ACT felony trial for sexual assault however in the end not pursued.
The trial was aborted in October final 12 months attributable to juror misconduct and the cost was later dropped altogether amid issues about Higgins’ psychological well being.
Fact defence
Lehrmann alleges the Ten interview, which didn’t identify him, defamed him by alleging he raped Higgins in Reynolds’ workplace.
If the courtroom finds Lehrmann was recognized by the published, Ten and Wilkinson admit the interview conveyed the central declare of rape and are in search of to rely partially on a reality defence. Higgins is anticipated to present proof later this week.
Beneath the reality defence, Ten should show on the steadiness of possibilities that Lehrmann raped Higgins.
Whereas that is much less onerous than the felony normal of proof past affordable doubt, the so-called Briginshaw precept applies in civil instances involving severe allegations and requires courts to proceed cautiously in making grave findings.
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