PELL PLEDGES TO FIGHT CHARGES
CARDINAL George Pell has pledged to fight every charge against him in a sex crimes case that could run into 2019.
Amid scenes of chaos, the 76- year- old yesterday appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court for the first time since returning from the Vatican.
Barrister Robert Richter, QC, said his client would “plead not guilty to all the charges and will maintain his presumed innocence”.
The hearing made history, with Pell becoming the most senior Catholic official to appear in court on sex- offence charges. AUSTRALIA’S most prominent Aboriginal musician, Dr G Yunupingu has been remembered as a genius whose soulful voice propelled him to global stardom and made him the highest selling indigenous artist in history.
The 46- year- old blind singer died of a heart attack in a Darwin hospital on Tuesday after suffering years of ill health from liver and kidney disease. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion says the composer
Prosecutors told court the brief of evidence against Pell could be served to the court next week.
But experts warn the case could run for two years, due to the complexities of hearing historic sex charges and a potential application for there to be separate trials on different allegations.
The exact details of all the charges have not been revealed.
Yesterday’s administrative hearing shed no more light on the allegations, lasting just eight minutes.
Pell was under no obligation to attend the hearing and was not required to enter a plea.
He arrived at the court from Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land, brought issues affecting remote Galiwin’ku to the forefront of mainstream society.
“He was a hero of Australia and champion of our entire music scene,” Senator Scullion said.
Dr Yunupingu first picked up a guitar at the age of six, learning to play it upside down because he was left handed.
The Aria award- winner sold more than half a million albums shortly after 8.30am, before going through security checks.
Inside, Pell stared straight ahead for about 15 minutes as he waited for the magistrate. recorded in his native Yolngu and performed for US President Barack Obama, the Pope and the Queen.
Dr Yunupingu’s label Skinnyfish Music praised him as the “voice of a generation”.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lauded Dr Yunupingu as a “remarkable Australian sharing Yolngu language with the world through music”.
>> His full name and image is being withheld for cultural reasons, at the
request of his family.
Prosecutors have until September 8 to prepare a brief of evidence, but senior prosecutor Andrew Tinney, SC, said it was likely the brief would be served next week.
A committal mention ACCUSED drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury may serve as little as three years in jail after entering a plea bargain with Colombian police.
Details of the deal are due to be released later today when a court considers whether or not to accept it.
The 22- year- old South Australian is accused of smuggling 5.8kg of cocaine hidden inside 18 headphone cases at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota last month. date has been set for October 6.
The scenes outside court were unprecedented, with Pell mobbed during the 100m walk to his lawyer’s offices following his hearing.
A dozen police formed a shield to protect him amid a barrage of questions, abuse and shouts of support.
One woman held a sign that read: “Thank you for helping my family.”
At one point, police were forced to stop traffic on Lonsdale St.
After being charged with historical sex offences last month, Pell said he was looking forward to having his day in court in a bid to prove his innocence.
Court authorities have confirmed a deal has been done. “There is a deal between Fiscalia ( prosecution) and the prisoner which will be made public tomorrow,” a spokesman said.
The deal means Sainsbury should avoid the maximum sentence of more than 20 years.
Prosecutors had reportedly been demanding Sainsbury reveal the identities of others involved in her smuggling scheme. But her lawyers have expressed fears such revelations could endanger her life.
The full details of Sainsbury’s plea deal will be presented to Senior Judge Sergio Leon, who specialises in high- profile drugs and kidnapping cases.
Sainsbury was detained as she attempted to leave Colombia for London.
She had been flagged as suspicious under a US drug enforcement program.