How Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins reacted to shock news trial was abandoned after four weeks

Brittany Higgins was very upset when she spoke to reporters out of court after the trial of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of her was horribly abandoned on Thursday.

‘I told the truth. No matter how uncomfortable or unflattering in court. Today’s outcome doesn’t change that truth,” she said, fighting back tears.

Earlier, Ms. Higgins cried and her legal team appeared dejected when the decision to dismiss the jury was announced.

“I had to speak the truth under oath on the witness stand for over a week and was interrogated at length,” she said.

He (Lehrmann) was given the choice to remain silent in court. Head down in a notebook. Completely detached.

“He never got a single question in court about his story and the criminal charges.

“I had to hand over my phones, my passwords, messages, photos and my data to him.

“He didn’t have to show his phone, his passwords, messages, photos, or his data.

My life has been scrutinized publicly, open for the world to see. It wasn’t him,’ she said.

Previously, Lehrmann had looked emotionless as his trial for the alleged rape of Ms Higgins was shockingly abandoned.

He made no comment to reporters as he left the court around 11 a.m., standing behind his lawyer Steven Whybrow.

The sensational move came 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.

“Sometimes there is an accident that … results in a miscarriage of a trial. That’s what happened here,” she said.

Bruce Lehrmann was on trial, accused of raping the political staffer after a drunken night out in March 2019.

He had pleaded innocent.

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

“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 a retrial.

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 one of the jurors’ file folders on the floor.

“The judge said the sheriff saw the title of an academic research paper. The subject of the newspaper 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.

Chief Justice McCallum has set a February 20, 2023 date for a new trial, setting out the terms for Lehrmann previously.

He must not contact Ms Higgins, her partner David Sharaz, parents Kelly Higgins or Matthew Higgins and must notify the Australian Federal Police of his residential address.

If he wants to travel abroad during this period, he must communicate his travel schedule to the AFP two weeks before a planned departure date.

The now-discharged 12-member jury could not have decided in the early hours of March 23, 2019 whether or not Lehrmann is guilty of one count of sexual intercourse against Ms. Higgins.

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