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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/aug/21/cardinal-george-pell-appeal-sexual-assault-conviction
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| Cardinal George Pell appeal: decision due on child sexual assault conviction – live | Cardinal George Pell appeal: decision due on child sexual assault conviction – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The cameras caught Pell on his way into the court this morning. | |
| While we wait, here’s David Marr’s take on the appeal: | |
| “George Pell stands a good chance of winning his appeal next week,” he writes. | |
| “Not that that would be the end of the matter. Lately the Victorian court of appeal has overturned a number of jury verdicts in child abuse cases, only to see those verdicts restored by the high court.” | |
| The George Pell story is a long way from ending – even if he wins his appeal | David Marr | |
| Things will happen pretty quickly once the judges come out at 9.30am. | |
| Chief justice Ferguson will make some introductory remarks, and then the judges will announce what they have decided. Ferguson will then read out the court’s orders before reading a summary of the judge’s conclusions. | Chief justice Ferguson will make some introductory remarks, and then the judges will announce what they have decided. Ferguson will then read out the court’s orders before reading a summary of the judge’s conclusions. |
| It is anticipated this will take between 30 to 40 minutes. The judgement is being broadcast online, but there will be a 15-second delay on the stream in case anyone says anything that is suppressed by the court, such as the victim’s names. | |
| I’ve just spoken to Viv Waller, a lawyer representing the victim. She will be reading a statement from the victim after court. #Pell | I’ve just spoken to Viv Waller, a lawyer representing the victim. She will be reading a statement from the victim after court. #Pell |
| Some more background from Melissa Davey here, if you’re catching up: | Some more background from Melissa Davey here, if you’re catching up: |
| Pell’s appeal was argued on three grounds by his high-profile barrister, Bret Walker. | Pell’s appeal was argued on three grounds by his high-profile barrister, Bret Walker. |
| The first ground – that the jury was unreasonable in reaching its verdict – is the most likely to succeed. However, the unreasonable threshold is a high one to meet. The appellate judges have to find that the jurors must have had a reasonable doubt as to Pell’s guilt, not just that they could have. | The first ground – that the jury was unreasonable in reaching its verdict – is the most likely to succeed. However, the unreasonable threshold is a high one to meet. The appellate judges have to find that the jurors must have had a reasonable doubt as to Pell’s guilt, not just that they could have. |
| The second argument is that Pell was not arraigned in the presence of the jury panel – because there were so many potential jurors, they were split between the main court room and an overflow room with a video link established between the court and jurors. | The second argument is that Pell was not arraigned in the presence of the jury panel – because there were so many potential jurors, they were split between the main court room and an overflow room with a video link established between the court and jurors. |
| The third is that Pell’s defence team should have been allowed to show a video animation of its argument during the closing address, which the judge presiding over the case, chief justice Peter Kidd, deemed inadmissible. | The third is that Pell’s defence team should have been allowed to show a video animation of its argument during the closing address, which the judge presiding over the case, chief justice Peter Kidd, deemed inadmissible. |
| Kidd refused to allow the animation as he said the jurors may view it as factual evidence, and new evidence can not be introduced during closing addresses. | Kidd refused to allow the animation as he said the jurors may view it as factual evidence, and new evidence can not be introduced during closing addresses. |
| Pell has arrived at the court. | Pell has arrived at the court. |
| The disgraced cardinal quickly exited a white prison van, handcuffed and led by a guard, and entered the court building. | The disgraced cardinal quickly exited a white prison van, handcuffed and led by a guard, and entered the court building. |
| Outside a long queue of victim advocates, Pell supporters and journalists waiting to get into the court snaked along the street. | Outside a long queue of victim advocates, Pell supporters and journalists waiting to get into the court snaked along the street. |
| “I think today is going to be explosive. There’s no doubt about that. We’re in for a shocking day,” abuse survivor Michael Advocate said outside the court. | “I think today is going to be explosive. There’s no doubt about that. We’re in for a shocking day,” abuse survivor Michael Advocate said outside the court. |
| The supreme court doors opened at 8.30am, but a group has been lining up on the court steps from before 7am. There is a group of church supporters, including at least one priest, and they are having heated debates with survivors and advocates who have also gathered. | The supreme court doors opened at 8.30am, but a group has been lining up on the court steps from before 7am. There is a group of church supporters, including at least one priest, and they are having heated debates with survivors and advocates who have also gathered. |
| Among them is media and members of the public. Chrissie Foster is here, whose daughters were horrifically abused by a Catholic priest, and people are holding placards. | Among them is media and members of the public. Chrissie Foster is here, whose daughters were horrifically abused by a Catholic priest, and people are holding placards. |
| One reads “Thanks Victorian government for putting children’s safety first”, following the introduction of new laws which would see priests jailed if they fail to report abuse disclosed during confession. | One reads “Thanks Victorian government for putting children’s safety first”, following the introduction of new laws which would see priests jailed if they fail to report abuse disclosed during confession. |
| Cardinal George Pell will this morning learn the outcome of his appeal against a conviction for sexually assaulting two 13-year-old choir boys. | Cardinal George Pell will this morning learn the outcome of his appeal against a conviction for sexually assaulting two 13-year-old choir boys. |
| Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric to ever be convicted of child sexual abuse, was sentenced in March to six years in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. | Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric to ever be convicted of child sexual abuse, was sentenced in March to six years in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. |
| His conviction came at the end of a lengthy trial and mistrial, both of which could not be reported initially. The verdict, handed down in December, was suppressed until February. | His conviction came at the end of a lengthy trial and mistrial, both of which could not be reported initially. The verdict, handed down in December, was suppressed until February. |
| In sentencing remarks, chief judge Peter Kidd said Pell’s offending was “brazen and forceful” and “breathtakingly arrogant” because he believed the victims would never complain. | In sentencing remarks, chief judge Peter Kidd said Pell’s offending was “brazen and forceful” and “breathtakingly arrogant” because he believed the victims would never complain. |
| His appeal was heard in June before a full bench of the supreme court - the chief justice, Anne Ferguson, the president of the court of appeal, Chris Maxwell and Mark Weinberg. | His appeal was heard in June before a full bench of the supreme court - the chief justice, Anne Ferguson, the president of the court of appeal, Chris Maxwell and Mark Weinberg. |
| For his appeal to be successful today only two of the judges need agree that the conviction should be overturned. Our reporter, Melissa Davey, who has covered every step of Pell’s trial, conviction and appeal, wrote yesterday the judges would most likely order a retrial if the conviction was overturned, but could find it unjust to order Pell stand trial again. | For his appeal to be successful today only two of the judges need agree that the conviction should be overturned. Our reporter, Melissa Davey, who has covered every step of Pell’s trial, conviction and appeal, wrote yesterday the judges would most likely order a retrial if the conviction was overturned, but could find it unjust to order Pell stand trial again. |
| A permanent stay of proceedings would stop the case from ever continuing and Pell would be released. | A permanent stay of proceedings would stop the case from ever continuing and Pell would be released. |
| The verdict will be announced from 9.30am and we will bring you the updates as they come through. | The verdict will be announced from 9.30am and we will bring you the updates as they come through. |
| Back in the chaos. Pell appeal decision to be delivered this morning from 9.30am pic.twitter.com/UeysP4DMOS | Back in the chaos. Pell appeal decision to be delivered this morning from 9.30am pic.twitter.com/UeysP4DMOS |