THURSDAY.
Thursday 23rd – Morning Session
Jaime continues.
She gave evidence about being at the unit on the evening of the alleged event. She said she saw the girl walking down towards the gate. And got a phone call from Brett telling her he was on his way home. She waited in her unit and noticed yelling coming from the front gate area. She noticed a thick set man arguing and getting physical with Brett. Brett looked confused. When he came in to their unit he said "a girl had tried to kiss him†(The Crown objected to this on hearsay grounds) Jaime said that Brett didn't go to the toilet or wash his hands. That he was in control of himself. She said that cops arrived and Brett got into a conversation with them, mainly about footie. The cops took him upstairs to get his med stuff and then took him to Dee Why Police Station. She went after, with his manager.  She admitted this allegation has taken a toll on her, she's depressed and anxious.
Cross examination by the Crown.
He went into the timing of the calls and the observation of the girl by Jaimie. He asked why she hadn't given a statement on the night. She answered she was confused and upset at that time.
The prosecutor asked her why there was no reference to 'kissing' in her statement that she provided to police later, or mentioned it in the questioning by police later. He went over this omission a number of times. Jaimie said she hadn't discussed the event with Brett.
Bellanto then re examined.
He asked, was the reason that she declined to be interviewed by the police or anyone, because the media had sensationalized the event? She answered, "Yes".
Bellanto then asked her, had she read in the press that Brett 'raped the girl in the stairwell? Jaimie replied yes.
She agreed with Bellanto that Brett doesn't use the term 'bro'. And that he detested smoking.
Now, the addition in her testament today about the 'kissing', and the omission of it in her previous statements could have her seen as not so truthful. I don't know, but she was clear and direct today, not evasive.
******    End of Crown Case.   ******
There was a submission by Bellanto to knock out the first charge as the complainant in her evidence had not stated the tongue allegation in the first kiss. A moot point I thought. The judge agreed with me and the charge stays.
Opening of the defence case:
Bellanto opened with a statement that he would present Brett as a witness, He stated that Brett didn't have to give evidence but he wanted to. Others would be called to give evidence and that his credibility would be attested to by others.
 
Brett was called to the stand:
Bellanto took him through his early years, at school, his short apprenticeship, his Flegg days and up to when he joined our mighty club.
He was diagnosed with diabetes in year 8.
Bellanto took Brett through his charitable commitments:
Diabetes Australia
Eat well, live well, play well.
Careflight.
McGrath Foundation.
Spina Bifida.
Bowel Cancer research.
Bellanto then moved to his recent playing days.
He asked Brett about his representative career, his playing and working in PNG to counter violence against women and the AIDs program.
He asked him whether this was work, or a lifestyle choice.
Brett said that he firmly believed in the anti-violence towards women sentiments, and the campaign.
I never realized this guy had such a stellar career. I was amazed by Bellanto's listing of Brett's footie accomplishments.
Anyway, then he moved to the week leading up to the night in question.
Bellanto took Brett through his movements that Wednesday and Thursday. Media stuff, NRL launch, training etc.
On to Friday night,
Bellanto took Brett through his movements after the launch, from the Steyne to the Pacific and into the cab home.
On arrival home Brett said he got out of the cab, said a derogatory comment to a girl who was smoking, was confronted at the front of the units by this girl who grabbed his arm and said she wanted a kiss.
He said he pulled away and the girl went inside through the gate.
When asked by Bellanto why he didn't just go inside and up to his unit, Brett replied that the club has told the players that they should wait a minute if confronted, and to calm down before moving on. Good advice really.
Bellanto will continue this afternoon
Brett has given his evidence so far, confidently, with modesty and directness.
Afternoon, Â Brett continues.
Brett continued his testimony, stating that after the girl asked to kiss him he pushed the girl back, just pushing her arms. Â The father came out, was aggressive, throwing punches and knocked/pushed Brett into the front fence. Â Brett said he didn't respond, other than to take a defensive position. Â The father was yelling stuff like, "you did something to my daughter" Brett said.
Brett went on,
"We were holding each other by the clothes and I went backwards into the fence".
"I did nothing wrong".
After some argy bargy Brett said they moved up the driveway jostling.
Brett said he weighs 92 kilos and is 6 feet tall. Â He described the girl as small and stocky.
Brett then described how he went into the unit and talked to Jaimie. Then the cops arrived.
He repeatedly asked the cops, "What's going on"?
Conversations took place between Brett and the cops, primarily about the footie. Â He was taken to the Dee Why Police Station. Â He didn't wash his hands and readily agreed to swabs. Â After he was at the DWPS for a time, he was allowed to go and went and stayed at Jaimie's mothers place for a few days and then stayed at Glenn's place. Â He stated that there was media everywhere.
Brett became very emotional and sobbed in the witness box as he described the rumors about him raping the girl in the stairwell and, that he was so pissed he couldn't remember anything. Â A tense time.
He was shown, by Bellanto, the 'Code of Conduct' that the club provides and stated that he abides by this at all times.
Cross examination by the Crown:
Asked if Brett had used the term 'bro' in interviews. Â He said "no".
Prosecution then went on and on about the team, and by inference Brett, about over indulging at the Wharf bar. Â This was really a dead end for the prosecutor and he struggled from this point on. Â He even showed a CCCTV footage of Brett walking across a bar room and slipping as an example of being intoxicated. Â he tried to imply that a slip was falling down drunk, or at least highly intoxicated. Â Even the judge laughed at this. Â He will continue to cross tomorrow and internds to show more CCCTV footage of Brett in various hotels on that night. Â I can't see this going anywhere as I've seen the CCCTV footage of the end of the night when Brett got in a cab and he certainly didn't appear intoxicated then.
Brett was terrific today. Â He was articulate, steady, answered in an honest fashion, not evasive in any way, and carried the day. Â This was Brett's best day, as we've had to sit through and hear so many lies, Â half truths and innuendos to get to this. Â He was great. Â I love the guy and hope he plays for us for many years to come. Â More tomorrow. Â
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