- Former Test bowler’s trial has heard three days of evidence
- MacGill was kidnapped, stripped and assaulted in April 2021
The jury has been acquitted in the trial of cricket great Stuart MacGill, who was fighting accusations that he facilitated a $330,000 drug deal.
MacGill was on trial at Sydney’s Downing Center District Court having pleaded not guilty to a charge of involvement in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
The Crown prosecution has alleged that he played a role in and facilitated the deal, which involved a drug dealer known as Person A and his partner’s brother.
MacGill’s defense told the court the former cricketer had no knowledge of the drugs deal and received no benefits.
The jury had heard three days of evidence.
On Friday, Judge Nicole Noman told the jury he had been acquitted.
Stuart MacGill is pictured outside a Sydney court on Friday, just before the judge at his trial made a major decision about the proceedings.
She gave the jury her rationale for making the decision, but that cannot be reported for legal reasons.
“I have made the decision that he should be released, so that will conclude his involvement,” Noman told the jury.
“I can tell that you were involved in this matter, so I apologize.”
MacGill will now appear in court again at a later date, and the matter will return to court on Monday, with the selection of a new jury.