The Northern Territory news Thu 20 Feb 2020
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2020-02-20
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/756697
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/788847
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20 2020 NEWS 15 V1 - NTNE01Z01MA THE rape trial of former NT top cop Peter Bravos will be heard in Darwin Supreme Court by a judge flown in from interstate and is now set to run from July 27, a court has heard. During a pre-trial hearing in Darwin Supreme Court yesterday, Justice Judith Kelly told the court that the original trial which was to start in April had been vacated with Bravos to now face trial on the updated charges on July 27. It comes after prosecutors in the case last month dropped two of the four rape charges levelled at the former NT assistant police commissioner, meaning he will now face trial on a fresh indictment relating Outside judge to be named for Bravos trial SARAH MATTHEWS sarah.matthews1@news.com.au to two charges alleging the rape of a single victim. Bravos, 53, was originally committed to stand trial over allegations he sexually assaulted two women dating back to 2004 and 2006. The trial is estimated to run for four weeks. Justice Kelly said an interstate judge had been chosen to come to Darwin to preside over the trial. The identity of the chosen judge is yet to be announced. Two of Darwins Supreme Court Justices recused themselves from hearing the trial in recent pre-trial hearings as they both had a personal relationship with a key witness in the trial a lawyer who has worked extensively in the Northern Territory. Bravoss lawyer John Lawrence SC last month asked Justice Kelly, who was set to hear the trial, to stand down as she had previously worked with the same witness. Although she refused to do so, she ruled that efforts would be made to find an interstate judge if possible as a matter of convenience as distinct from apprehended bias. She said this would avoid raising of irrelevant issues during the hearing. As well as to ensure the defendant himself believes he has the benefit of an impartial trial, Justice Kelly said. Bravos will next appear in court on March 25, with prerecording of evidence with particularly sensitive witnesses set to begin in May. 65,000-year-old meal reveal ANCIENT plant foods that were eaten by the First Australians 65,000 years ago have been found preserved in charcoal in Arnhem Land. A University of Queensland study discovered 10 plant foods in the remains of ancient cooking hearths at the Madjedbebe archaeological site on Mirrar country in the NT. The foods include fruits and nuts, roots and tubers and palm stem. Working with elders, researchers were able to infer how the foods would have been prepared and cooked. Study lead author and University of Queensland archaeobotanist Anna Florin said the findings showed early indigenous people had a great deal of botanical knowledge a trait that had allowed them to adapt and thrive in a new environment. May Nango and Djaykuk Djandjomerr collecting palm stem in Arnhem Land Picture: SUPPLIED SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA PRESENTS A GROUND-BREAKING DOCUMENTARY UNCOVERING SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS AND REVEALING NEW INFORMATION SURROUNDING MODERN AVIATIONS GREATEST MYSTERY. EXCLUSIVE TWO-PART INVESTIGATION CONTINUES TONIGHT 6:30PM *Requires internet and compatible device. Data charges may apply. Foxtel marks used under licence by Foxtel Management Pty Ltd. Watch it in an instant No installation, no lock in contract. Sign up to all of Foxtel NOW with a 10-day free trial, new customers only.*