Cardinal George Pell Appears at Melbourne Magistrates" Court to Fight Historical Sexual Offence Allegations

By Emma Younger
ABC
October 6, 2017

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/george-pell-at-court-historical-sexual-offence-allegations/9021596

Cardinal George Pell will face a four-week committal hearing next March as he fights historical sexual offence allegations, some of which are impossible, according to his legal team.

Australia's most senior Catholic cleric has faced his second hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, after he was charged by Victoria Police detectives in June with offences involving multiple complainants.

The exact detail and nature of the charges have not been made public.

Cardinal Pell strenuously denies the allegations.

Cardinal Pell's defence barrister, Robert Richter QC, said his team will aim to prove some of the allegations made against his client could never have happened.

"We want to demonstrate that what was alleged was impossible," he told the court.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington refused Mr Richter's application to cross-examine five witnesses, but approved all others.

The court heard the prosecution's brief of evidence was "voluminous".

The hearing lasted about 20 minutes and mainly dealt with administrative matters.

The court heard about 50 witnesses will give evidence at Cardinal Pell's committal hearing, which will determine whether there is enough evidence to commit him to stand trial.

Cardinal Pell was not required to enter a plea but his Mr Richter told his previous hearing that his client would plead not guilty.

The court room was packed, mainly with media but also some supporters and protesters.

Cardinal Pell and his legal team entered the court with a police escort, in a scene similar to his his first appearance in July when he was swamped by media.

Some reporters lined up to get a spot inside court for the hearing from about 5:00am, and Victoria Police also blocked off part of William Street outside the court

PHOTO: Cardinal George Pell entered the court with a police escort. (AAP: Stefan Postles)

After the hearing, protesters yelled at Cardinal Pell as he walked from the court with his legal team.

He did not react as he made his way down the steps.

Prosecutors were last month due to serve a brief of evidence on Cardinal Pell's legal team, including top criminal barrister Robert Richter QC.

Earlier this year, The Pope granted him leave from his duties as Prefect of the Vatican Secretariat, a very senior role in the papal administration, to return to Australia to fight the charges.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has previously said it would not pay its former archbishop's legal costs.

But a fund has been set up for Cardinal Pell's supporters to donate money to help fund his legal team.

It is being run by a law firm based in Ivanhoe East in Melbourne's north-east.

PHOTO: There was a heavy police presence at court. (ABC News: Stephanie Anderson)