George Pell committal: A number of charges to be dropped, prosecutor says

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
March 23, 2018

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-23/george-pell-committal-a-number-of-charges-to-be-dropped/9581972

A prosecutor said the charges would formally be withdrawn next Tuesday.

The Melbourne Magistrates Court has been told a number of charges against Cardinal George Pell will be dropped.

Prosecutor Mark Gibson SC said the charges related to one of the complainants who was medically unfit to give evidence.

He said the charges would formally be withdrawn when the committal hearing resumes next Tuesday.

The announcement was made at the end of Friday's court hearing.

Cardinal Pell has strenuously denied charges of historical sexual offending against multiple complainants.

No other details can be reported for legal reasons.

The four-week long committal hearing is expected to conclude by Good Friday.

The magistrate will then make a decision on whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.