Brett Stewart found not guilty of sexual assault

[Funky Munky]

Your first point is valid, but no magistrate is going to take into consideration whether someone is famous or not when considering the verdict.

see the case of steven gerrard in england. there was actually cctv footage of him hitting someone and he got off. not saying the same will happen but im not expecting stewart to get convicted

 

[thermos]

Grand final week. Great timing.

It was in court today. You can hardly blame the media for that. Just like it'll get dragged out again just before the season starts next year.

 

[nitabita]

It was in court today. You can hardly blame the media for that. Just like it'll get dragged out again just before the season starts next year.

The lawyers (not even Brett) were in court just to discuss the previously arranged February committal hearing. There were no new significant developments - It is hardly worth being the leading story on major news shows/websites!

 

[mickdo]

It was in court today. You can hardly blame the media for that. Just like it'll get dragged out again just before the season starts next year.

I wasn't necessarily blaming the media. You'd think Stewart's legal team could have got a stay of proceedings in any case...

 

[thermos]

Generally it usually is only the lawyers that turn up to this. Doesn't make it any less newsworthy. Agreed though, this stuff goes through court every day but doesn't make the news. The profile of Stewart brings that. The sh*t thing is that it's going to be all over the news again next year when promotions are rolling out for the new season, 12 months after this thing (allegedly) happened.

 

[Doug2234]

The NRL gets smashed from all Media outlets because it has its hands tied! New Ltd own half the game and they cant say no to the owners. They need to back the f**k out and give the game back.

Then lets hope the media outlets will wake up and realise that they have to earn stories and players/clubs trust. Not think its there god given right to report anything they possibly can!!

FFS THE MEDIA need to be shown a lesson!

 

[^_^]

Yeah like last week whent the DT had an article on B Stewart saying he was seen walking down the corso on his mobile phone......that was the whole article hahahahaha the fact is Ronny was waiting for that status update hehe wanker!

 

[thermos]

I dunno if it's a case of "poor me, bad media". The report on him talking on the phone in the Corso was ridiculous - I'm guilty of that myself. But regardless of whether he is guilty or otherwise of what is alleged, he will always have a case to answer.

As a dad taking my young daughter to the footy it's difficult having to explain to her why the crowd is chanting "rapist" when he runs the ball. I feel uncomfortable sitting in the crowd at brookie with her when there's other young girls, a year or two older than her, holding up signs saying how much "we luv u brett". The media hasn't brought any of that on - he has.

 

[saints_fireup]

no. its sexual assault and no one would prosecute if there wasnt enough evidence for a conviction

but we all know hes going to get off because hes a superstar

such a joke

I disagree. We will not know until the committal hearing (which by the sounds of it will be focused on the credibility of the victim through cross examination of her psychiatrist) as to whether there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction. At the moment there is a 'prima facie' case, however this could be negatived if the mental state of the victim is in question.

The police are not the arbiters of innocence or guilt. In such serious matters, the preferred option is to place the matter before the court to have the matter determined. Obviously there must be sufficient evidence as to warrant charges, otherwise police could find themselves facing extensive costs.

The conviction rate is reportedly between 40 and 60 percent for matters that are finalised with charges http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawli...$file/Sexual_offence_Information_sheet_06.pdf.

This case will come down, like most sexual assault cases, to the credibility of the victim...

 

[El Diablo]

Would it have really dragged out this long if he was completely innocent?

same thing happened with Laffranchi

Laffranchi faces committal hearing in Sydney

Crockett also faced a committal hearing

both were cleared

 

[Funky Munky]

I disagree. We will not know until the committal hearing (which by the sounds of it will be focused on the credibility of the victim through cross examination of her psychiatrist) as to whether there is a reasonable prospect of a conviction. At the moment there is a 'prima facie' case, however this could be negatived if the mental state of the victim is in question.

The police are not the arbiters of innocence or guilt. In such serious matters, the preferred option is to place the matter before the court to have the matter determined. Obviously there must be sufficient evidence as to warrant charges, otherwise police could find themselves facing extensive costs.

The conviction rate is reportedly between 40 and 60 percent for matters that are finalised with charges http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawli...$file/Sexual_offence_Information_sheet_06.pdf.

This case will come down, like most sexual assault cases, to the credibility of the victim...

that credibility is always undermined by sleazebag defense attorneys and thats why they get off

im sure that 40-60% is much lower in rape cases

 

[DeeJ]

Wow....

Someone who is going to a committal hearing has a case to answer. What an amazing admission.

In other news, I hear that Daniel Anderson has admitted that his side will have to make some tackles in the grand final this sunday.

Well that's probably a good idea since the Broncos didn't try tackling the Storm and that didn't work out very well.

 

[Timmah]

I'm totally sick of it. I never buy/read the telegraph.. But what else can we do? This stuff is not acceptable..

Really? Could've sworn you were amongst the hordes who believed some of the garbage they printed about St George Illawarra in the latter parts of this season..

 

[badav]

duuuuuuuuuhh

 

[Tom Ace]

duuuuuuuuuhh

 

[mickdo]

That's uncanny :lol:

 

[The Tank]

lol they both look stoned.

 

[t-ba]

that credibility is always undermined by sleazebag defense attorneys and thats why they get off

im sure that 40-60% is much lower in rape cases

f**k off. Maybe we shoudn't bother with the Criminal Justice system and just throw people in without the right to a trial :roll:. Because defence is Sleazy. It could have nothing to do with the fact that the systems in place to actually assist rape victims are woefully inadequate and the laws are completely cracked when it comes to the area.

p.s. completely incorrect usage of attorney in the Australian Context. Maybe you've been watching too much Law and Order...

 

[skeepe]

Brett Stewart's sexual assault committal hearing begins

THE psychiatrist who's been treating a teenage girl who has accused Manly rugby league star Brett Stewart of sexual assault has given evidence at his committal hearing.

The 24-year-old fullback arrived for the hearing at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court today hand-in-hand with his girlfriend Jamie Baker.

Stewart is charged with having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl without her consent on the evening of March 6 last year at North Manly.

He also is charged with assault with an act of indecency, namely that he "forced his tongue into her mouth".

At the start of his committal hearing, a lawyer for the Crown tendered numerous documents to Deputy Chief Magistrate Paul Cloran.

She told him evidence would be called from the psychiatrist who was treating the teenager, "at the relevant period of time".

Clive Steirn, SC, for Stewart, told the magistrate the footballer was a diabetic and may need to leave the hearing at some stage to have some fruit juice.

The Magistrate has temporarily adjourned the hearing so he can read the tendered material.

Evidence heard by the court this morning has been suppressed

LINK

 

[petetheileet]

hmmm

cant wait to see how this pans out!