Brisbane man Bryce Marchant, 23, found not guilty at trial of raping woman in Lismore, northern NSW

A Brisbane man has been found not guilty at trial of raping a woman in Lismore following revelations of a falling out over a reality TV dating show. Here’s what happened.

Bryce Marchant, 23, denied raping a woman and a jury found him not guilty after about two hours of deliberations.

A Brisbane man has been found not guilty at trial of raping a woman in Lismore following revelations of a falling out over a reality TV dating show.

The jury returned the verdict of not guilty on Thursday at Lismore District Court to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent against 23-year-old Bryce Marchant.

Mr Marchant was living at Alstonville, but now lives at Bowen Hills, Brisbane.

Some members of the jury smiled and nodded after about two hours spent deliberating, while Mr Marchant’s family and friends let out a gasp and tears flowed when the verdict was clear.

Bryce Marchant, 23, was found not guilty of rape.

Mr Marchant denied allegations he forced himself on a woman in East Lismore on June 25, 2020.

“I said no a lot of times, but it just happened anyway,” the complainant alleged.

Mr Marchant did not dispute they had sex, but argued the encounter was consensual.

Defence barrister Cara Feiner said it was reasonable for Mr Marchant to assume consent because the complaint was responding and kissing him during intercourse.

Lismore Court House.

One sticking point in the case was consensual sex between the pair two days after the alleged rape.

The defence argued the complaint’s evidence was “inconsistent” and there was “no way” she would have had sex at the later date if she was raped.

But Crown prosecutor David Morters argued the woman had sex because she wanted a relationship with Mr Marchant.

“She has been prepared to forgive the wrongful conduct in the hope that a relationship might develop,” he said.

Any potential for a relationship dissolved on July 2 when Mr Marchant told the complaint he had made it through the first stage of auditions for a reality TV dating show.

Bryce Marchant denied the allegations and was found not guilty.

Ms Feiner heavily implied to the jury during the defence’s closing arguments the complainant was a woman scorned – that she was “frustrated” and “angry” Marchant was considering going on the show.

Mr Morters said the complainant was not out for “revenge”.

Character witnesses for Mr Marhant described him as a “gentleman” and someone who “couldn’t have” raped a woman.

“What you heard from those people is he is a … good person,” Ms Feiner said.

“He is not the kind of person who would do something like this.

“He is just a young man doing his best.”

Bryce Marchant of Bowen Hills outside court.

But the Crown argued that Mr Marchant let his guilt show in a “candid” phone conversation with the complainant that was recorded by police without his knowledge.

Mr Marchant said he felt “pain”, guilty”, “sorry” and “regretful” – but later told the court he was placating the woman and trying to “validate her feelings”.

However, Ms Feiner said Mr Marchant did refute allegations on the call by saying “that’s not who I am”.

Mr Marchant said he was worried the woman would spread rumours about him being a rapist and he did not want to “poke the bear”.

The Crown argued Mr Marchant acknowledged he “engaged in acts that breached his moral code and he wasn’t proud of what he had done”.

Mr Marchant’s charge was dismissed after the verdict.