Bruce Lehrmann charged with rape in Toowoomba over 2021 alleged incident
The lawyer for ex-parliamentary staffer Bruce Lehrmann is planning to cross-examine witnesses when he defends rape charges at a committal hearing.
The lawyer for former parliamentary staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who is defending rape charges in Toowoomba, is planning to cross-examine witnesses in the case against him.
Police charged the 28-year-old with two counts of rape earlier this year over allegations stemming from an incident in Toowoomba back in October 2021.
He is yet to enter a plea but has indicated he will defend the charges.
Appearing on the phone, Mr Lehrmann’s barrister, Patrick Wilson, told Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday that he intended to cross-examine witnesses during a committal hearing.
Mr Wilson requested a directions hearing be set down to allow both parties a chance to prepare for the committal hearing next year.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an incredibly complicated and factual thing, but there will be some matters that need to be discussed,” Mr Wilson said.
The matter was adjourned to February 26, 2024, for a two-hour directions hearing.
The criminal charges in Toowoomba are not related to the incident at the centre of the separate civil defamation trial involving Mr Lehrmann in the Federal Court in Sydney.
Mr Wilson said if he and Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald “do agree to cross-examine and don’t need the directions hearing”, the court would be informed and another date would be listed for mention.
Mr Lehrmann’s identity was only recently revealed after parts of Queensland legislation changed in September, meaning those accused of rape or sexual assault could now be named before they were committed for trial or entered a plea.
Previously, Mr Lehrmann was only known as a “high-profile man”.
After the law changed, he lost his bid to seek a non-publication order to continue to keep his name from public view.
The court found such an order was not necessary to protect his safety.
Mr Lehrmann remains on bail.
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