Breaking: Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial postponed to allow time to find barrister

Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial has been postponed on November 2 to allow time to find a barrister for his defense. The Brisbane District Court heard that his solicitor, Zali Burrows, had encountered difficulty securing a barrister to represent her client in the trial, which is alleged to have occurred in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in October 2021.

Judge David Kent accepted the adjournment, stating that the short time before the trial warranted it to ensure the interests of justice. However, Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco argued against the adjournment, citing the length of time and lack of evidence from Burrows about contacting barristers to defend Lehrmann. She claimed that Burrows has made numerous applications to the court, which she described as "drip-fed" and "unsatisfactory for the complainant."

Despite the prosecutor's arguments, the adjournment was granted, with a next mention scheduled for November 2. Lehrmann has indicated he will plead not guilty, and the trial could take about a week according to prosecutors, while the defense estimated it would take two weeks.