- New evidence will be presented in Canal Diez defamation trial
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Network Ten is set to present new evidence in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial just days before the judge delivers his verdict.
Federal Court Judge Michael Lee was due to deliver his decision in Lehrmann’s defamation case against the network and presenter Lisa Wilkinson on Thursday.
However, on Sunday the federal court revealed that Judge Lee would hear “an urgent interlocutory application by Network Ten to reopen its case” on Tuesday night.
Judge Lee had adjourned the case in December following a five-week trial and the appearance of Brittany Higgins, a former Liberal staffer who alleged Lehrmann raped her inside her then-boss Linda Reynolds’ office in Parliament in March 2019. .
The allegations were broadcast on Channel Ten’s The Project by Wilkinson in 2021.
Wilkinson’s explosive interview with Higgins later triggered the Lehrmann defamation case.
Lehrmann was not named in the 2021 interview, but claims the media was still able to identify him.
He alleges four defamatory meanings were conveyed in The Project’s report and denies allegations that he raped Ms Higgins.
Mr. Lehrmann has requested substantial compensation for the alleged damage the interview had on his reputation.
His criminal trial over the alleged rape in October 2022 was previously abandoned after a jury brought outside sources into the deliberation room.
Judge Lee previously said he would start writing his judgment the day after the defamation trial ended.
More than 15,000 pages of transcripts and 1,000 separate pieces of evidence (including CCTV footage and audio recordings) have been handed over to him since the trial began.
The party that loses the multimillion-dollar lawsuit is expected to appeal the decision.
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