AUSTRALIA
CNN
By Lucie Morris-Marr, CNN
Tue April 17, 2018
Melbourne (CNN)The lead barrister defending senior Vatican official Cardinal George Pell against historical abuse charges has argued for the case to be dropped because a trial would be a “waste of public money, time and effort.”
Robert Richter QC made the arguments at a court in Melbourne Tuesday, on the final day of submissions before Magistrate Belinda Wallington.
Wallington will announce on May 1 whether the case will proceed to trial, after weeks of testimony from accusers and witnesses to the alleged abuse.
Pell, 76, was charged last June and given leave by Pope Francis from the Vatican to contest the charges in his native country. Pell vigorously denies all allegations.
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