Linda Reynolds, Michaelia Cash to speak in Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial, Wilkinson dropped as witness
Two former cabinet ministers will be called to give evidence in Bruce Lehrmann’s high-profile rape trial next week.
Lisa Wilkinson will no longer be called as a witness in the trial for the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins in Parliament House.
Ms Higgins has accused her former colleague Bruce Lerhmann sexually assaulting her in the office of Senator Linda Reynolds in the early hours of March 23, 2019.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
Ms Wilkinson was listed as one of the 58 names on the initial list provided by the ACT Supreme Court of witnesses who may be called to give evidence in the trial.
However, an updated list provided by the court on Thursday afternoon shows The Project host’s name has been removed, along with more than a dozen potential witnesses including news.com.au political editor Samantha Maiden.
Linda Reynolds, Michaelia Cash to speak
The updated witness list confirms that Senator Linda Reynolds, who was Defence Industry Minister at the time of the alleged incident in her office in 2019, will be called next week.
It also confirms that Senator Michaelia Cash, who Ms Higgins worked for until 2021, will also be called to give evidence.
Ms Higgins’ partner David Sharaz and Senator Cash’s former chief of staff Daniel Try are also included in the updated witness list.
Ms Higgins is expected to return to the witness stand today to finish giving her evidence after being unavailable for much of the second week of the trial.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold told the jury on Wednesday afternoon that the Crown expected it would close its case in the first part of next week, possibly on Tuesday.
At the start of the trial, the jury was told the proceedings could run from anywhere between four and six weeks. Next week will be the third week of the trial.
The trial continues.
Read related topics:Brittany Higgins & Bruce Lehrmann Trial
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