Pell v The Queen: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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The key issue at trial was whether A's evidence was credible and reliable.{{Sfnp|Dyer|Hamer|p=109|2020}} B was now deceased, and had stated to his mother before his death that he had never been sexually abused while a choirboy. The prosecution's case against Pell was wholly dependent on the evidence of A being truthful and reliable.{{Sfnp|Silbert|p=37|2020}}

In both trials, the juries considered several other factors. After mass, A and B were part of a strict procession, and Pell's defence team argued it would be impossible for either to leave this procession without being noticed.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}} A witness testified that he introduced Pell to his mother on the steps of the church, which the prosecutier condeded if true, this meant Pell would not have had the opportunity to commit the sexual abuse of A and B in the first alleged instance.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}} The prosecution argued Pell may have been left alone for a short period while church aides tended to other duties. The initial trial ended in September 2018 with a [[hung jury]], as they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}}

At theA second trial, was held in December 2018. Pell was represented by barrister Robert Richter, who claimed "only a madman" would sexually assault children in the sacristy after mass given the number of people coming and going from the room.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}} The defence team also argued that the church robe worn by Pell, by the very nature of its design, would have made it impossible for Pell to expose himself. Questions were also raised as to why the choirboys never informed anyone of what happened until A contacted police in 2015, though. [[Peter Kidd|Judge Peter Kidd]] informed the juries that many sexual abuse victims do not immediately report the abuse, if ever.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}} The defence team argued Pell could not have conducted the second alleged act of abuse, submitting that someone would have noticed Pell pushing a small child into a wall.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}}. The second jury found Pell guilty of all charges.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}}

The initial trial ended in September 2018 with a [[hung jury]], as they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. However, during a retrial in December 2018, a second jury found Pell guilty of all the charges.{{Sfnp|Cooper|2019}}

=== Supreme Court Appeal ===