Ulster Rugby Rape Trial - Not guilty to all charges

[Quimby]

Verdict just returned
Not guilty to all four accused, all unanimous decisions.

[ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo]

Let’s not be naive here. He is apologising publically because his career with Ulster rugby is under review and he has just witnessed the backlash to PJs statement. It’s nothing more than damage control.

[NotTakenUsername]

Step I have absolutely no respect for these men, nor am I trying to find any. But a public figure coming out and publicly saying he will modify his behaviour going forward based on his misogynistic language is a teeny tiny step in the right direction.
He’s not saying, “what I say or write is my own business” he is really acknowledging that this is, rightly so, a witch hunt and if he wants to survive he needs damage limitation.
That damage limitation came in the form of a man who is admired as a role model by many young boys saying, “I messed up. This behaviour is wrong and going forward I will behave differently.” Subtext - guys, learn from my mistake - don’t do what I did.
I’m not naive. I see this is to protect his career, but with another prominent figure refusing any sort of apology and threatening to sue anyone who dares to ‘believe her’ this is a welcome contrast to that level of arrogance by someone who is also a role model.
One slightly educates, the other emboldens.

I actually see it as a significant win for all the people who have taken to the streets in protests. They have been beating the jungle drums and this guy and his advisers have heard them loud and clear!

[Step]

NotTakenUsername - I agree.

[mazylou]

www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/media-application-to-lift-belfast-rape-trial-restrictions-to-be-heard-on-monday-1.3450089

[buckeejit]

I agree it's about the best thing he could have done, obv doesn't make him suddenly dead on.

https://meatymammy.wordpress.com/2018/03/29/the-blog-that-facebook-banned-misogyny-gone-mad/

[Step]

Dead on? Nah still not even a hallion or a ganch that'd be promotion.

What will release of the legal arguments do? I take it it's unlikely to do their case any good?

[BastardGingerCat]

I have no legal knowledge so what kind of evidence could be left to be heard/reported? Also, if there are forms of evidence that the jury are not supposed to hear because it prejudices them (supposedly against the defendants) then how can it be considered a fair verdict? Is this like the cases in the 80s where juries were told after not guilty verdicts that the defendant already had previous convictions?

[NotTakenUsername]

It would be good if these details are released before Ulster Rugby take their decision.

[buckeejit]

Haha. From what I've gathered release of the legal argument will show some perhaps 'freer' talk from the counsels in absence of the jury? Not at all sure though as I didn't even think this happened.....

[implantsandaDyson]

In some cases it can be evidence/testimony that the prosecution wants to introduce. The judge hears the evidence without the jury present so as not to prejudice any jury and then decides whether or not it can be heard. I have no idea if this is the case in this trial.

[eloisesparkle]

Letter in The Irish Times (today I think) commenting on a piece by Orna Mulcahy suggested a mixed school would be better to prevent the misogynistic behaviour and texting we saw from some members of the Ulster rugby team.
Isn't Methodist College aka Methody ( where CG and PJ went to school) a mixed school ?

[MrWriter]

Methody is a mixed school eloise

[Step]

Methody is mixed. Can only think of one big rugby school that is boys only in NI.

[Totallymyownperson]

Can't believe there is more to come out. In my experience it's usually the defence that tries to suppress information from juries. Prosecution is rarely allowed to as judges are so scared of decisions overturned on appeal. Prosecution rarely had any powers of appeal until very recently.
Remember the Ched Evans case the fact the jury were not allowed to hear that his girlfriend offered prosecution witness cash!

[ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo]

I’m not sure where I heard that PJ has a previous accusation that was settled out of court, perhaps MN? But I was also told IRL that the complainant in this case has “done it before” meaning “cried rape”. Not sure if this is true or not. Maybe either of those are what Is to be released now?

[BastardGingerCat]

I doubt it's the latter Zibbidoo - it's the defence that are arguing to suppress it, not the prosecution.

[Twixes]

I heard there was another WhatsApp group with a much much much more incriminating name/title that was deemed inadmissible. It may be bollocks but if it’s true I’d say it’s evidence like that the prosecution are trying to keep quiet.

Those men are scum.

[Twixes]

I mean defence!! Sorry, typo

[treaclesoda]

Twixes I heard exactly the same rumour a few weeks ago.

[ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo]

Ahh thanks bastard

[NotTakenUsername]

How does it work with starting a new thread? Is op still about or can anyone else do it? This one is almost full and it seems like there’s a lot more to unfold. I’ve really valued some of the insights for some of the posters here and I’d like to see it continued.

[TheCraicDealer]

I have a feeling there will be a lot more to say after these reporting restrictions are lifted.

[eloisesparkle]

Thanks Step and Mr Writer

[implantsandaDyson]

I'm not sure the reporting restrictions will be lifted I don't think they have to be and I think lawyers will fight very hard to keep it closed. At least delay, delay, delay which was what today was about.

[ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3213069-Ulster-Rugby-trial-continued

New thread for when this one is full