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Cardinal George Pell walks FREE after high court quashes conviction

He was found guilty of sexually abusing two choir boys in the 90s.
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Cardinal George Pell has walked free from Barwon Prison today, after the High Court quashed his historic sex crimes conviction on appeal.

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The 78-year-old served just 400 days of his six year sentence.

In 2018, a jury found him guilty of performing sex acts on two choir boys at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.

One of the boys gave evidence on behalf of himself and the other victim, who has since passed away.

MUST WATCH: Cardinal George Pell walks free after 400 days behind bars

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The decision overturns an earlier ruling by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Justice Anne Ferguson, Justice Mark Weinberg and president of the Court of Appeal Justice Chris Maxwell.

Pell released statement after the hearing, which he did not attend.

‘I have consistently maintained my innocence while suffering from a serious injustice,’ he began.

‘This has been remedied today with the High Court’s unanimous decision. I look forward to reading the Judgment and reasons for the decision in detail.

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‘I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel; there is certainly hurt and bitterness enough,’ he said. 

As for the victims, Shine Lawyers’ Lisa Flynn spoke on behalf of the deceased man’s father.

She said: ‘Our client is currently in shock. He is struggling to comprehend the decision by the High Court of Australia. He says he no longer has faith in our country’s criminal justice system.

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‘He is furious the man he believes is responsible for sexually abusing his son was convicted by a unanimous jury only to have that decision overturned today allowing George Pell to walk free from jail.

‘Our client says he is heartbroken for the surviving victim who stuck his neck out by coming forward to tell his story but was ultimately let down by a legal process that forced him to relive his pain and trauma for no benefit.

‘Our client says this man, who the jury believed, is an upstanding citizen who had nothing to gain from speaking out other than to protect other children from the pain and suffering he has to live with on a daily basis.’

To victims of sexual abuse, Flynn had a message. ‘I encourage you to stay strong in your fight for justice and your desire to make this world a safer place for our children.

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‘Do not let this decision stop you from speaking your truth. Instead, use today’s decision to free George Pell to ignite your fire and take on your abuser.’

– Need help? Call Lifeline on 131 114, visit www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/get-help-home, or call beyondblue on 1300 224 636.

– If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or family violence, call the 1800RESPECT hotline or visit www.1800respect.org.au/. You can also call the Domestic Violence Hotline on 1800 656 463.

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