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Jarryd Hayne jury discharged after failing to reach a verdict in rape trial
Jury hearing sexual assault charges against the former NRL player could not reach even a majority 11-1 verdict
Australian Associated Press
Published:12:00 Mon 7 December 2020
The jury in former NRL star Jarryd Hayne’s rape trial has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict.
The Newcastle district court jury of eight men and four women told Judge Peter Whitford SC on Monday it was deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous decision or the alternative 11-1 majority verdict.
Whitford had no option but to discharge the jury, which had been deliberating since 1pm on Thursday.
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The judge had earlier told the jury it was important not to reach a verdict based on Hayne’s behaviour on the night as this was “not a court of morals”.
The jury sent a note to the judge at 12.38pm explaining they had re-examined all the evidence but could not reach a decision.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. No amount of time and deliberation will be able to change this,” the jury’s note said.
Hayne, 32, had pleaded not guilty to two charges of aggravated sexual assault recklessly inflicting actual bodily harm after being accused of raping a woman in her bedroom on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final.
The case has been adjourned to 16 December for mention to decide what happens next.