New delay hits Bruce Lehrmann’s Qld rape case days after ex-political staffer dumps legal team
A new delay has emerged in Bruce Lehrmann’s Queensland rape case just days after the former political staffer dumped his legal team.
A delay has emerged in Bruce Lehrmann’s rape case in Toowoomba after his new lawyer asked for more time to review the brief of evidence – just days after the former political staffer sacked his former legal team.
Mr Lehrmann, 29, is facing two counts of rape that police allege stem from an incident in Toowoomba – west of Brisbane – in October 2021.
The former political staffer has been committed to stand trial on the charges in Toowoomba District Court on a date yet to be determined.
Mr Lehrmann has not entered a plea but has previously indicated he will fight the charges.
In a shock move earlier this week, Mr Lehrmann dropped the legal team who had been representing him throughout the rape case, opting to transfer the matter to criminal lawyer Zali Burrows.
The former political staffer understood to believe she would be a fierce advocate and “ rain down hell” for him if required.
Ms Burrows is representing Mr Lehrmann in the appeal of his failed defamation case against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.
During Thursday’s call-over at Toowoomba District Court, Ms Burrows – appearing over the phone – said a further hearing on March 27 would need to be vacated.
“I need to get across the brief (of evidence),” she told the court.
Ms Burrows said she was relying on the brief provided to Mr Lehrmann’s former legal team and needed the complete one from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She said she did not have a third statement provided by the complainant.
District Court judge Dennis Lynch said he was not going to make an order requiring the provision of the brief, saying it was for the parties to sort.
Ms Burrows said a further subpoena relating to the complainant’s alleged contact with a compensation lawyer was to be returned on March 27.
The matter was relisted for a mention on April 24.
Mr Lehrmann remains on bail.
Police allege Mr Lehrmann had sex with the woman twice without her consent during a night out in Toowoomba.
During the committal, the court was told the woman had been out drinking with friends and consumed cocaine before she went to a strip club, The Vault, in Toowoomba, where she met a man she claimed said his name was Bryce.
It will be alleged in court that Mr Lehrmann gave the woman a false name of “Bryce” when the pair met before clarifying his name as “Bruce”.
After leaving the club, the pair allegedly had consensual sex and consumed more cocaine.
It is alleged the woman lost consciousness and woke up to Mr Lehrmann having sex without her consent, and she urged him to stop.
The second charge against Mr Lehrmann alleges that moments later, he again had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent.
In a letter to the District Court days before the call-over, Mr Lehrmann said Ms Burrows would be representing him instead of criminal solicitor Rowan King, from RK Law.
A source close to Mr Lehrmann said of Ms Burrows: “He works well with her, that’s clear from the appeal under way and wins she’s already had. She (Ms Burrows) won’t be afraid to rain down hell if it’s needed, and Bruce needs that.
Mr Lehrmann could only be referred to as a “high-profile man” when the charges were laid in 2023 due to Queensland laws preventing the identification of people charged with prescribed sexual offences.
Those laws were amended in October the same year.
A magistrate ordered an initial non-publication order protecting his identity be revoked, but Mr Lehrmann’s legal team appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking that decision be quashed.
The order was refused, with Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth saying Mr Lehrmann had not established a non-publication order was necessary to protect his mental health.
More Coverage
Originally published as New delay hits Bruce Lehrmann’s Qld rape case days after ex-political staffer dumps legal team
Collingwood star involved in car crash
A Collingwood premiership player and All-Australian has been involved in a scary morning crash with another vehicle.
Update as Lehrmann dumps legal team
A new delay has emerged in Bruce Lehrmann’s Queensland rape case just days after the former political staffer dumped his legal team.