Pell in cell for last case
High Court to hear arguments for release
GEORGE Pell’s future could be decided by Australia’s highest court this week, but he will not be there to see it.
The full bench of the High Court will hear his legal team’s final bid for his freedom in Canberra today.
The 78-year-old cardinal was jailed for six years last year for sexually abusing two choirboys at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, soon after being appointed Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996.
Pell was convicted by a jury in 2018 of the rape of one 13year-old choirboy and sexual
HUNDREDS of locals and visitors are set to flock to Barwon Heads this week as the Festival of the Sea turns 20.
Festival co-ordinator Naomi Wells said she was glad to see the free festival remain an important community event.
“It’s pretty amazing considering the committee are all volunteers,” she said.
“A lot of the same people, local passionate people, reassault of another. The first boy gave evidence against him while the second died in 2014.
Pell maintains his innocence.
Victoria’s Court of Appeal last year upheld the verdict in a 2-1 ruling. The High Court has not formally granted his application for appeal, instead referring it “for argument”.
It means after the hearing, which is scheduled to continue tomorrow, the court can refuse the application for special leave, or approve it and either allow or dismiss the appeal. Pell’s lawyers are arguing the appeal on two grounds.
First they say the Court of turn year on year. It’s incredible we’ve stuck at it for two decades.”
The annual festival uses art, music, food, education and fun to highlight the marine environment and bring the community together.
Ms Wells said this year’s festival, which opened yesterday, would run until Saturday and would focus more on sustainability, climate action, education and aware
Appeal majority — Chief Justice Ann Ferguson and President Chris Maxwell — made an error in that Pell was required to prove the offending was “impossible” in order to raise reasonable doubt against the surviving boy’s evidence.
The third judge, Justice Mark Weinberg, found in favour of Pell. Secondly, they argue the majority found there was a reasonable doubt as to the existence of any opportunity for Pell to have offended, so they made an error in concluding the guilty verdicts were not unreasonable.
They want his convictions ness about environment.
“The environment that is right next to us is so beautiful and valuable and we encourage people to learn more about it and celebrate it,” she said.
Festival activities include an arts trail, science talks, rockpool rambles, a marine trivia night, an outdoor film festival showcasing ocean conservation films and live music. our natural on five charges to be quashed, which would mean he is released from prison.
Last month it was revealed the High Court had also raised legal questions over the use of video evidence in Pell’s previous appeal, rather than relying on written transcripts.
The Court of Appeal judges watched the recorded evidence of 12 witnesses, including the complainant, visited St Patrick’s Cathedral and examined robes.
While Pell has been in court for all his hearings, he will be at Barwon Prison this week.
The proceedings also will not be live streamed, meaning he will have to rely on information being fed back through his lawyers. Viv Waller, who represents the surviving choirboy, said he understood appeals were part of the checks and balances. “Both my client and I are deeply respectful of that process,” Ms Waller said in November.
Lisa Flynn, who represents the father of the boy who died, says he is hopeful the High Court will uphold Pell’s convictions.
“This has been a very drawn-out process for him,” Ms Flynn said, adding his faith in the legal system would be lost if Pell was freed.