UPDATE: Bruce Lehrmann, the former political staffer, failed to appear in Hobart Magistrates Court today over a car-stealing charge. This no-show has raised eyebrows among officials, especially as it follows another court appearance just days earlier.
Lehrmann was scheduled to attend court at 10:00 AM on Thursday but did not show up, leaving his lawyer, Zali Burrows, unresponsive to calls. Magistrate Robert Webster expressed his frustration, stating, “From emails … she doesn’t understand the purpose of this court at all.” Burrows later claimed a misunderstanding regarding the nature of the hearing.
According to Burrows, Lehrmann was absent due to “urgent medical issues and tests.” This claim did little to satisfy the court, prompting police prosecutor Bunewat Keo to assert readiness to proceed with the case. He stated, “We have a strong prima facie case” against Lehrmann, who has denied stealing a Toyota Prado from Mountain River, Tasmania, on November 20, 2024.
The court proceedings are critical, with key witnesses, including the car owner and five police officers, prepared to testify over the expected four-day hearing. Burrows previously indicated intentions to challenge the car owner’s statement, citing discrepancies with media interviews.
Lehrmann’s legal troubles are extensive, stemming from a 2019 alleged rape of his former colleague Brittany Higgins. A trial was abandoned in 2022 due to juror misconduct, but in 2024, the Federal Court found on the balance of probabilities that the rape occurred, dismissing Lehrmann’s defamation suit against Network Ten and presenter Lisa Wilkinson. He is currently appealing this decision.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on the Hobart Magistrates Court, where Lehrmann’s future hangs in the balance. Further attempts to contact Burrows are anticipated, with the magistrate signaling that he will make additional efforts to resolve the matter.
The implications of this case stretch beyond the courtroom, impacting public perception and the ongoing discourse surrounding allegations of serious misconduct in political circles. Readers will want to stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
