George pell court hears cardinals final bid to quash sexual abuse verdict
You're referring to the ongoing case of Cardinal George Pell, who was convicted of child sexual abuse in Australia in 2018. Here's a summary of the latest developments:
Background: Cardinal George Pell, a former high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, was convicted in December 2018 of sexually abusing two choirboys at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia, in the late 1990s. He was sentenced to six years in prison, with three years and eight months already served.
Appeal: Pell's legal team has been fighting to have his conviction overturned, arguing that the trial was unfair and that the evidence was unreliable. In August 2020, the Victorian Court of Appeal rejected Pell's appeal, upholding his conviction.
Final bid: In February 2021, Pell's lawyers filed a final appeal with the High Court of Australia, arguing that the conviction was based on "unreliable" evidence and that the trial judge made "serious errors." The High Court is the country's highest court, and a decision in favor of Pell would effectively quash his conviction.
Hearing: On March 2, 2021, the High Court of Australia heard Pell's final bid to quash his conviction. The court heard arguments from Pell's lawyers and the prosecution, with the focus on the reliability of the evidence and the fairness of the trial.
Outcome: The High Court is expected to deliver its verdict in the coming weeks or months. If the court upholds Pell's conviction, it will likely mean that he will remain in prison. If the court quashes the conviction, Pell would be acquitted and released from prison.
International implications: The case has significant implications for the Catholic Church and its handling of sexual abuse allegations. If Pell's conviction is upheld, it could lead to increased scrutiny of the Church's handling of abuse cases and potentially lead to further investigations and prosecutions.
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