Breakthrough at Jarryd Hayne trial as jury reveals they cannot reach unanimous verdict on rape charge
- Judge orders jury to re-deliberate
- The jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict.
- Hayne faced two counts of sexual intercourse without consent
Jurors in the trial of Jarryd Hayne on sexual assault allegations have been asked to go ahead after 17 hours of deliberations failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
NSW District Court Judge Graham Turnbull received a note that the jury could not agree on whether the former Parramatta winger was guilty or not guilty on Monday, but sent the jury back to continue. with their discussions.
“Experience has shown … that jurors can often agree if they are given more time to consider and discuss the issues,” the judge said, declining to dismiss the jury.
‘I ask you to persevere… Let’s see if you can reach a unanimous decision.’
Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne (pictured with wife Amelia last week) faces an anxious wait as jury members continue their deliberations.
Jurors withdrew to consider their verdict on March 27 after a two-week trial in which the 35-year-old rugby league player faced two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
The former Eels player visited the woman’s suburban Newcastle home after a friend’s dollar party on the NRL’s big final night in 2018.
It is alleged that he removed her jeans and performed sexual acts for around 30 seconds before she began to bleed.
The woman accused of assaulting cannot be identified for legal reasons. The previously recorded evidence of her was shown to the jury in closed court.
Jarryd Hayne (pictured March 23) is facing trial over the rape allegations he has consistently denied.