Jury told to disregard seven sex assault charges against former Catholic bishop
The judge in the sexual abuse trial of the former Catholic Bishop of Broome has told the jury that he can not be found guilty of seven of the charges against him.
A judge presiding over the trial of former Catholic Bishop Christopher Alan Saunders has instructed the jury to disregard seven sexual assault charges due to insufficient evidence. Saunders, 76, is accused of 19 sex offenses against three young men while he served as the Bishop of Broome in Western Australia. In his absence from the trial, closing arguments are set to commence on Monday.
The judge emphasized that the jury should not render verdicts on these seven charges as there is no evidence beyond reasonable doubt to convict Saunders of them. The trial has also revealed details about the alleged Bishop's behavior, including parties at his church-owned home with young Aboriginal men, a "shirts off" dress code, and a seemingly endless supply of alcohol.
Police interviews and surveillance footage were presented, showing an alleged victim sitting facing another man while placing his feet on his lap, though these men are not among the trial's alleged victims. Saunders has denied touching any of the alleged victims sexually without their consent, describing such actions as "nonsense."
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