Major development after Bruce Lehrmann was accused of raping a woman twice
- Bruce Lehrmann is accused of raping a woman twice
- On June 17, a witness will be cross-examined
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has a hearing date set to decide whether or not he will stand trial on rape charges.
Lehrmann, 28, is accused of raping a woman twice in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in October 2021 and has denied the allegations.
During a brief hearing at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, defense lawyer Patrick Wilson said he no longer needed a hearing to settle a disputed matter with prosecutors.
“There is agreement between the parties as to the scope of questioning (of a witness),” Mr Wilson said.
Prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said the case would require a half-day hearing.
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) will find out whether he should stand trial for allegedly raping a woman twice after a date was set for a hearing
Magistrate Mark Howden set a date of June 17 for a hearing at which a witness would be cross-examined.
Lehrmann, who was not required to attend court, allowed his bail to continue until the court’s next mention.
He gained national media attention after he was accused of raping 24-year-old Brittany Higgins in then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds’ office at Parliament House in March 2019, while both were employed by the senator.
Lehrmann also denied these allegations and the case ended in a mistrial, with prosecutors declining to pursue a new trial out of concern for Ms. Higgins’ welfare.
Lehrmann was first accused of rape in Toowoomba in January 2023.
The case has been the subject of numerous hearings as prosecutors challenged the scope of medical and phone records evidence requested by his defense.
Magistrate Mark Howden has set June 17 as the date a witness in the case will be cross-examined by lawyers (pictured, Toowoomba Court House)