Commentary
Finally, it appeared the Brittany Higgins case was over when the Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shane Drumgold, announced on Dec. 2 that the sexual assault charge against Bruce Lehrmann was to be dropped. Drumgold said the reason was because of an “unacceptable risk to the life of the complainant” and commended Higgins for her “bravery, grace, and dignity.”
However, the case has faced renewed media interest after it was announced Higgins would be seeking $3 million (US$2 million) compensation from the Commonwealth government.
The Australian’s Legal Affairs Editor, Chris Merritt, went on Sky News Australia expressing outrage at how the case has been handled, with Lehrmann now being denied a right to a fair trial and any chance of an acquittal which would clear his name….