Bruce Lehrmann’s Queensland rape trial delayed as lawyer raises ‘missing evidence’ in court
Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s Queensland rape case has been delayed again after his new legal team raised concerns about missing evidence.
Lehrmann, 29, faces two charges of rape relating to alleged incidents in Toowoomba in October, 2021.
Police allege Lehrmann had sex with a woman twice without her consent during a night out in Toowoomba in October, 2021.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It was heard during Lehrmann’s committal hearing that his alleged victim had been drinking with friends and used cocaine before going to The Vault strip club, where she met a man who introduced himself as “Bryce”.
It is alleged Lehrmann initially gave the woman a false name before later clarifying it as “Bruce.”
After leaving the club, the pair allegedly had consensual sex and used more cocaine. The woman claims she then lost consciousness and awoke to Lehrmann having sex with her without consent, urging him to stop.
It is further alleged that moments later, he again had sexual intercourse with her without consent.
He has not entered a plea but has previously indicated he will fight the charges.
Lehrmann did not appear when his case was briefly mentioned in Toowoomba District Court on Thursday.
He was represented by Sydney-based criminal lawyer Zali Burrows, who stepped in after Lehrmann dropped his original legal team in a surprise move last month.
Ms Burrows is also representing Lehrmann in the appeal of his failed defamation case against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.
Appearing via phone on Thursday, Ms Burrows said “important evidence” was missing from the prosecution brief, including at least nine witness statements and CCTV footage.
“We should not proceed until we can sort out the disclosure issue of the brief,” she told the court.
Judge Dennis Lynch made it clear he would not be ruling on the disclosure dispute, saying an application would need to be filed if the parties could not “agree and do it in a sensible way” so the case could progress.
Judge Lynch said he expected both parties to lodge any necessary applications before a trial date is allocated.
The matter was adjourned until May 22.
Originally published as Bruce Lehrmann’s Queensland rape trial delayed as lawyer raises ‘missing evidence’ in court
