MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA)
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
October 6, 2017
By Emma Younger
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.
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