ABC journalist Louise Milligan hands over notes to George Pell’s lawyers
THE author of a book about Cardinal George Pell has handed over notes, transcripts and recordings to his lawyers as they prepare his defence to historical sexual assault charges.
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THE author of a book about Cardinal George Pell has handed over notes, transcripts and recordings to his lawyers as they prepare his defence to historical sexual assault charges.
ABC journalist Louise Milligan has handed over research notes for the book and background material used to prepare TV reports about Cardinal Pell for the national broadcaster.
But the names of confidential sources have been redacted to protect their identity.
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The documents were provided to lawyers for Cardial Pell today after a short administrative hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Cardinal Pell was not required to attend the hearing.
He remains in Sydney where he has been staying since flying home to Australia from the Vatican after he was charged last June.
The Cardinal has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
“I’m innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sex offences is abhorrent to me,” he said during a press conference after being charged.
“News of these charges strengthens my resolve, and court proceedings now offer me an opportunity, to clear my name and then return to my work in Rome.
“I am looking forward finally to having my day in court,” he said.
Lawyers for the Cardinal sought material from Ms Milligan and the ABC, as well as documents from Victoria Police and Melbourne University Press, as they prepare his defence.
The Cardinal has been charged with historical sexual offences but the specific charges he is facing, or the number of alleged offences, is not yet known.
He is expected to face a month-long preliminary hearing next March over the allegations, about half of which are expected to be heard in a closed court while the complainants are cross-examined.
The Cardinal has taken leave from his post as the Vatican’s finance chief but has vowed to return to the top job once he clears his name.