Jurors in Peter Bravos rape trial deadlocked amid rising ‘tension’ in the jury room

JURORS in the rape trial of former high ranking NT Police officer Peter Bravos remain deadlocked

Former NT Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Bravos has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape.

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JURORS in the rape trial of former high ranking NT Police officer Peter Bravos remain deadlocked after their first full day of deliberations amid rising “tension” in the jury room.

Bravos is facing trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to two counts of raping a fellow police officer at his house after a boozy social function in 2004.

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Jurors in the trial commenced their deliberations on Wednesday and by about midday on Thursday had indicated to Justice John Burns they were deadlocked but were urged to keep at it.

By about 3.30pm, the jury again notified Justice Burns they were unable to agree, this time indicating there was “some tension between the members of the jury”.

Justice Burns initially said he would allow the jurors to disperse for the day after a further hour’s deliberations but gave them an early minute after they told him “tempers are very frayed”.

“I don’t think there’s any benefit to continuing this afternoon,” the foreman said.

Justice Burns instructed the jurors to reassemble at 10am on Friday to continue considering their verdict.

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“I appreciate that there’s no point in people getting hot and bothered,” he said.

“(Have) a night to think about it separately, then come back tomorrow morning and recommence your deliberations at that point.”

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