Roberts-Smith's lawyer to challenge bid to stop naming 42 potential witnesses
The five war crime charges remain in NSW's lowest court, which is badly backed up.
Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross winner, faces five charges of committing or abetting the war crime of murder. Prosecutors have asked the court to ban publication of the names of 42 potential witnesses.
Roberts-Smith has proclaimed his innocence and has not yet been required to enter a plea. Roberts-Smith's lawyer, Karen Espiner, plans to challenge that request, but has not yet filed the paperwork.
Espiner told the judge a two-hour hearing would not be long enough, and that more than two days were needed. The court has since booked three days, spread over a week and a half next August.
Espiner also said she has not received the classified evidence against him, which is needed for his defence.
- 42 potential witnesses
- Witnesses named
- Five war crime murder charges
- Charges faced
- NSW Local Court, Downing Centre, Sydney
- Court
- Three days next August
- Hearing booked
Why it mattersThe case has no trial date yet, and this fight is likely to delay it further.
AustraliaThe NSW court system is so busy that the judge said it would take a year to schedule a two-day hearing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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