Jury is DISCHARGED in the case of Brittany Higgins’ accused rapist Brice Lehrmann

The trial of accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann of Brittany Higgins has been sensationally aborted, with the jury fired after a juror brought an academic research paper on sexual assault into the jury room.

On what should have been the seventh day of jury deliberation, Chief Justice Lucy McCallum dismissed the 12 jurors shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

Bruce Lehrmann was on trial, charged with the rape of the political staffer after a drunken night out in March 2019. He pleaded not guilty.

Judge McCallum said: “It has come to my attention that one of you has been investigating matters in the case and material has entered the jury room that should not have been.

“I’ve heard a statement and it may be that no damage has been done, but that’s not a risk I can take. I fired that juror and I have to fire you all.

“Can I please convey my sincere gratitude for the hard work you have done in this process.

“With those comments, you’re fired and you’re free to leave.”

The sensational development raises the prospect of the case being retried. It also came when Ms. Higgins herself appeared in court for the first time since her testimony.

Judge McCallum later explained why the jury was fired.

“While routinely clearing the jury room after the proceedings yesterday, one of the sheriffs accidentally knocked on the floor a folder containing the jurors’ documents.”

The judge said the sheriff saw the title of an academic research paper. ‘The topic of the paper could be sexual assault.

“The matter was immediately brought to my attention. my associates identified what appeared to be the document in question.

“In the circumstances, it is appropriate to regard that evidence with some skepticism.

“During the trial, I must have given the jury at least 17 warnings.

“This is an unexpected and unfortunate outcome in this process.”

Bruce Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

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