Cardinal Pell’s hearing delayed after magistrate’s death

The preliminary hearing into historical sex offence charges against Cardinal George Pell has been delayed following the sudden death of a much-loved Melbourne magistrate.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington, who is presiding over Pell’s case, was in court on Thursday when she overheard someone tell Pell’s barrister Robert Richter QC that her “friend” and colleague Magistrate Stephen Myall had died. 

A devastated Wallington immediately suspended proceedings until Monday as she struggled to come to terms with the news, Victoria’s Magistrates Court confirmed to Starts at 60.

Myall’s passing has now seen a number of matters temporarily stood down, as his colleagues mourn his death. Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen said in a statement: “Mr Myall was a much loved and respected member of the judiciary who worked at a number of court locations including Sunshine, Broadmeadows and across the Geelong region.

“He joined the Magistrates’ Court in December 2005 after a distinguished legal career. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.”

Meanwhile, it comes after one of the historical sex offence charges made against Pell, 76, was dropped because the accuser died.

Read more: Sex offence charge dropped against George Pell as accuser die

The case was thrown into doubt after Damian Dignan, one of Pell’s main accusers, passed away in Victoria following a long illness.

It was Dignan’s allegations that led Victoria Police to publicly reveal Cardinal Pell was under investigation for the alleged abuse within Australian churches.

Pell was charged with multiple accounts of child sexual assault in June, 2017. The allegations relate back to his time with the Church in Ballarat, Victoria. He has vehemently denied all accusations against him, and previously vowed to fight them in court.

He claimed at the time the allegations were part of a media smear campaign to sully his name. “The allegations are untrue, I deny them absolutely,” he said last year. “I’m like any other Australian — I’m entitled to a fair go.”

Read more: George Pell’s lawyers ask for accusers’ medical records

Former chief Victorian magistrate and crown prosecutor Nicholas Papas told The Australian the death had complicated the case at the time.

“It’s not an unreasonable quote to say that prosecutors could have a more difficult task now, yes,” he said.

“Normally it requires that the person who has given evidence to be there, and so normally it would be the case that without them there, the prosecution can’t proceed … but you can’t be absolutely sure.”

The Pell committal has been adjourned until 10am on Monday.

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