A judge has apologised to a jury before discharging the group of people selected to deliver verdicts in a historical rape trial.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
"Regrettably, we've come to a point where I have no alternative but to discharge you," Chief Justice Lucy McCallum told the 12 jurors on Thursday.
The trial of a man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim, was in its fourth day when the order was made.
"This trial has not gone smoothly," the judge said.
Why Chief Justice McCallum discharged the jury cannot be reported for legal reasons.
Evidence already heard in the trial included allegations the man had raped his then-partner at least four times in a three-day period sometime in either 2010 or 2011.
MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS:
During that protracted period of alleged sexual assault, the man is also accused of twice rendering the woman unconscious, at least once with a metal bar, and of stomping on her head.
He also allegedly threatened the woman's "naked vagina" with a Stanley knife and inspected it because he "could tell she had been sleeping with someone".
"He was pretty much just treating me like a piece of meat for three days," the alleged victim said in an interview with police.
The court also heard the man forced his partner to urinate outside for those three days.
"I had to go in the backyard and piss like a dog," the woman said during evidence.
Defence barrister John Purnell SC did not make a bail application for his client on Thursday but indicated he might do so in the future.
"You have my sincerest thanks for your attention," Chief Justice McCallum told jurors before they were discharged.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to nurse it to the point of verdict."
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram