Cardinal Pell walks free
Harry Lollback, Associate • Apr 07, 2020
The High Court has today upheld the appeal of Cardinal Pell and quashed the prior convictions.
The decision comes after the full bench of seven justices heard a two day application on 11 and 12 March 2020 led by Cardinal Pell’s barrister Bret Walker SC.
The High Court ruled that the despite the complainants evidence being credible and reliable the contradictory and unchallenged evidence from the “opportunity witnesses” was a relevant consideration that should have resulted in the jury holding a reasonable doubt as to Cardinal Pell’s guilt.
The decision confirms the fundamental principal of our criminal justice system that the prosecution must satisfy the burden of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The unanimous decision of the High Court will result in the convictions being quashed and replaced by verdicts of acquittal.
Image Credit - Pryzmat © Shutterstock.com
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