Roberts-Smith launches merchandise brand before war crimes trial
Roberts-Smith launches E12 brand and coordinated interviews as jury trial nears.
Faced with war crimes charges, Ben Roberts-Smith launched a merchandise brand called Epic 1 Two. The brand uses Roberts-Smith's military call sign E12.
This week he released interviews with 2GB's Ben Fordham. Roberts-Smith's legal team approved all the interviews.
The strategy appears designed to influence the 12-person jury deciding his trial. He needs just one juror to hang the jury and avoid conviction.
Roberts-Smith lost his previous defamation case against Nine newspapers. The judge found he murdered prisoners or directed others to do so.
The new brand markets itself as 'for the underdog who refuses to stay down'. It positions him as a battler treated unfairly.
- 12 people
- Jury size
- Unanimous
- Required verdict
- Epic 1 Two
- Brand name
Why it mattersA hung jury with just one disagreeing juror voids the trial and cancels the proceedings. This lets him keep his presumption of innocence.
AustraliaThe trial will be conducted in Australian courts and widely followed, involving questions about military conduct and justice.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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