High-profile man accused of raping woman allowed to call witnesses as case heard in Toowoomba Court
High-profile man accused of raping a woman allowed to call witnesses to avoid going to trial as he fights to keep his identity a secret
- Accused rapist wishes to remain anonymous
- He wants witnesses to be questioned
- It would happen in a binding hearing
A high-profile man who cannot be named for legal reasons could call witnesses to testify in his fight to avoid any rape charges brought against him.
The man, who is charged twice with raping a woman in October 2021, was briefly mentioned in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for a third time on Wednesday.
Queensland law prohibits naming people accused of rape unless and until they have committed to stand trial.
The man was excused from appearing and prosecutor Nicole Friedewald told magistrate Kay Philipson that the defendant’s legal team had received the evidence order.
Defense attorney Rowan King appeared by phone and told Ms Philipson he needed another three weeks to collect material about the discovery from prosecutors.
“At the next opportunity, we should be able to inform the court if there are any other applications or other matters that will be followed by the pledge stream,” King said.
The man, who is charged twice with raping a woman in October 2021, was briefly mentioned in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for a third time on Wednesday.
Queensland law prohibits naming people accused of rape unless and until they have committed to stand trial (photo, a stock image)
The magistrate asked Ms. Friedewald if the “term of the defense seems short.”
“It will take the office issuing these statements at least four weeks to provide them and notify them when they have received material assigned to a physician,” Ms Friedewald said.
“I’d look for at least four weeks.”
Ms Philipson asked Mr King if there was ‘the possibility of an application for cross-examination of witnesses’ at a binding hearing.
Mr King replied ‘that could happen’.
“Counselors are still finalizing their position on this and I believe this may affect the results of the report,” King said.
Ms Philipson adjourned the case to May 17 for a binding hearing with the defendant to remain free on bail.
Lawyers from several media organizations asked in February for an exemption to name the defendant, but Ms Philipson rejected their applications.