Cardinal Pell Accuser Dies Before the Cardinal Faces Sexual Abuse Trial

[mdgspencer]

Removed: article | Information | The Guardian

One of Pell’s accusers, Damian Dignan, has died after a long illness. His death greatly affects the case, and there is even speculation that the charges against Cardinal Pell will be dropped because of this death.

 

[Entwhistler]

Well, if Cardinal Pell never comes to court that might leave something that will dog his steps for a while.

Requiescat in Pace Damian Dignan.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

There is absolutely no speculation that this case will be abandoned.

The deceased is one of three with the same allegation/incident. Apart from that, there are other allegations. The next court date - a commital Hearing is March. It will be a closed court. 50 witnesses are scheduled to appear.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5154150/accuser-of-cardinal-pell-dies-after-long-illness/

 

[mdgspencer]

Previous post:
“There is absolutely no speculation that this case will be abandoned.”

My post:
Actually, there is actual speculation the case will be abandoned. See an article in "Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5243747/Cardinal-George-Pell-sex-abuse-case-dropped.html Perhaps you simply didn’t look widely enough to check this out.

Whether or not the case will be abandoned or not, though, I simply don’t know.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

There is no speculation, there is a commital hearing starts on March 5.

The commital hearing will decide if Cardinal Pell will stand trial on historic sexual abuse charges.
The Commital hearing will run for a month , it will hear evidence from his alleged victims.

Plural- victims.

It can and will also use any evidence left by the deceased. Whether or not this will be admissible will be for the courts to decide. However, because the deceased had fragile health, you can bet the lawyer for him will have carefully documented any relevant evidence.

Please read the plural

Alleged victims , alleged complainants.

Headlines on news articles that do not even allude to the headline, do not mean a thing is being considered or rumoured.

Cardinal Pell is the latest and hopefully the last, in a long line to be facing court. At ground zero.

 

[Rau]

There is no speculation,

It is not possible to know what is “speculated” by all and sundry. You would however be quite justified in holding the view that there is little prospect of the case being abandoned given the other alleged victims involved.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Believe me, Rau, if there were any chatter that this would be dropped, I would be the first to let you guys know.

But it is going ahead.

Pray for us, pray for the soul of this person. Damien is yet to be interred.

And especially pray for the clergy

 

[Joe_5859]

Rose lives in Australia, so I imagine what she hears in the news “down under” is a bit different that a British news outfit. I’m inclined to think she would know if there was any legitimate talk of the charges being dropped as she is closer to the source.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Here’s today’s latest.

Pell’s lawyers to study unedited doco footage as part of defence | The Courier | Ballarat, VIC

Joe thankyou.

My Diocese is, you could say, a ground zero

I will keep everyone updated on what is released for public knowledge, as it happens.