No plea in Laffranchi rape case

[Steel Dragon]

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/laffranchi-enters-no-plea-in-rape-case/2007/03/27/1174761427840.html


No plea in Laffranchi rape case

Les Kennedy | March 27, 2007 - 10:30AM

Fresh from playing in last night's NRL win over Cronulla, Gold Coast Titans forward Anthony Barry Laffranchi, has faced a Sydney court this morning charged with rape.
Laffranchi, dressed in a black business suit, white shirt and pink tie, stood silent at the back of Burwood Local Court during his brief appearance before the registrar, during which he entered no plea.
The former Wests Tigers player is charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent - rape - upon a 26-year-old woman he allegedly met during 'Mad Monday' end-of-season celebrations last year.
Police allege the rape took place in a Five Dock unit belonging to another Tigers player, Ryan O'Hara, in the early hours of September 4 after celebrations by Wests Tigers players in Kings Cross the previous night.
Laffranchi's appearance was his first before the courts to answer the charge which was laid on Tuesday March 6 by detectives from the Child Protection and Serious Sex Crimes Squad who investigated the allegation.
During his appearance before the registrar today police were granted a non-publication order regarding the identity of the alleged victim.
Despite Laffranchi saying in media interviews following his charging that he would vigorously defend the charges, his counsel entered no plea on his behalf today.
Laffranchi was granted continuing police bail and excused from appearing when the case comes back to Burwood Local Court on May 23 for mention.
Laffranchi further declined to comment when he left the court swamped by media cameras and reporters.

 

[Timmah]

:shock:

Rape. FMD.

 

[The Preacher]

:shock:

Rape. FMD.

Is that consensual ???? :sarcasm:

 

[Timmah]

Haha. :sarcasm:

 

[meltiger]

to answer the charge which was laid on Tuesday March 6 by detectives from the Child Protection and Serious Sex Crimes Squad who investigated the allegation.

Do NSW not have a seperate department for rapes against Children & Adults?

 

[Steel Dragon]

Do NSW not have a seperate department for rapes against Children & Adults?

Maybe its all the one department.

Like ATF (alcohol tabacco and firearms) - it doesnt necessarily mean they only investigate crimes envolving guns if the criminal used them while they were drinking and smoking.

 

[borat]

So why would you not enter a plea? How does this aid his case?

Is it becuase if he decides to later plead guilty he doesn't look like he is swapping and changing his mind or not showing remorse etc

 

[[furrycat]]

Leave the speculation as to why he has not entered a plea out of it.

 

[Shorty]

Yeah agreed.

 

[keeney]

This isn't harmful speculation, but you can defer/adjourn the case 3 times. It's what I did to postpone losing my licence. Maybe he just doesn't want to have to go through this until the season is more settled, perhaps over?

 

[borat]

All I want to know is what benefit is it to anyone in not entering a plea? He has obviously acted on advice from his legal team.

Its just strange considering he has stated he would defend the charges vigourously and then doesn't plead Not Guilty.

 

[El Diablo]

maybe he was not required to enter one so he didn't

 

[sharko]

He will wait to see what evidence is brought against him..this will be produced down the track and if the evidence is compelling then it may get ugly for him otherwise his lawyers will attack the girl and her credibility.

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Probably waiting for a full brief of evidence to be served on his legal team to see what the prosecution have.

 

[meltiger]

Maybe its all the one department.

Like ATF (alcohol tabacco and firearms) - it doesnt necessarily mean they only investigate crimes envolving guns if the criminal used them while they were drinking and smoking.

Oh I just found it interesting mate, I'm sure at one point in time Victoria had the Child Protection Unit, which focussed solely on crimes against children. Would have thought NSW would have a dedicated outfit as well. Obviously not.


& Gunna is right, if they haven't even been presented with their copy of the Brief Of Evidence, no point pleading either way yet.

 

[perverse]

as far as i'm concerned - if you didn't do it - you plead not guilty.

just my 2c.

 

[El Diablo]

errr why do you plead anything if one is not required atm?

 

[perverse]

errr why do you plead anything if one is not required atm?

because if you didn't do it you have nothing to lose really.

 

[El Diablo]

but no plea was required obviously

 

[perverse]

errr why do you plead anything if one is not required atm?

let me answer this question again - because he was given the opportunity to do so.