Ryan Dean Harder, Rayne Orion Crowe: Alleged Old Parliament House arsonists to consider prosecution deal

Two men charged over the Old Parliament House fire have sought an adjournment to consider a prosecution deal. Find out what happened in court.

Two men charged in relation to the Old Parliament House fire have had their cases adjourned to allow them to consider a deal from the prosecutors.

Rayne Orion Crowe, who is also known as Rayne Huddleston and as Ürulah, is charged with joint commission arson, and resisting a territory official. He has not entered any pleas.

Co-accused Ryan Dean Harder, from Dingley Village in Victoria is charged with joint commission arson, resisting a territory official and two counts of assaulting a frontline community service provider. Mr Harder has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Ryan Dean Harder leaves the ACT Law Courts. He is charged with crimes including arson over the Old Parliament House Fire.

Police allege both men were involved in a “sovereign citizen” protest on December 30 last year which resulted in a fire at Old Parliament House.

Police allege Mr Harder was involved in setting the facade of the Old Parliament House alight and also shoved two police officers during the protest.

In an earlier court appearance a police officer involved in the investigation into the incident told the court Mr Crowe stood outside the fire and would not let police go past him.

On Monday Mr Crowe appeared in person while Mr Harder appeared by phone for a pre-hearing mention.

Both men represented themselves, and Mr Harder asked for an adjournment so he could consider an offer of resolution sent by the prosecution to both men.

“I need to speak with my barrister and my wife,” Mr Harder said in regards to considering the deal.

“I wouldn’t make any decision without your wife if I were you,” Magistrate Lisbeth Campbell replied, before granting a four week adjournment.

The aftermath of the fire at Old Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The magistrate then asked Mr Crowe if he was ready to enter any pleas.

“Nah I will stick with what I’m doing and make no pleas,” he replied.

“If you don’t plead we consider it a plea of not guilty,” Ms Campbell explained.

“The maximum penalty of arson is well beyond that of my jurisdiction, I have no choice.

“You may prefer to see what the other fellow (Mr Harder) does.”

“(Otherwise if you plead not guilty) you’ll face a trial with a judge and jury in the Supreme Court.”

“The prosecution recorded me,” Mr Crowe replied.

“(It’s) a perversion of justice. I won’t take a plea to a corporation that commits genocide against my people.”

Rayne Orion Crowe AKA Rayne Huddleston AKA Urulah protesting outside the ACT Law Courts. Picture: Facebook

“Something has to happen eventually,” Ms Campbell said. “I’d very much like to move this along.”

“I’m a sovereign,” Mr Crowe replied.

“I don’t need the speech,” Ms Campbell said, before explaining again the case would eventually need to be committed to the ACT Supreme Court.

Mr Crowe ultimately agreed to take a four week adjournment to consider the deal.

Ms Campbell urged the man to speak with the Aboriginal Legal Service to get advice.

Both men remain on bail and will appear in court again on September 12.