Gao Yunxiang did not appear, his counsel (second right) rushed to the court. (photo by reporter of the newspaper)
Chinese film star Gao Yunxiang`s sexual assault case was reopened in Sydney Central District Court today (Nov. 23). Your Honor, the lawyer applied to postpone the hearing, Gao Yunxiang did not show up, the whole hall lasted only 3 minutes and then hurried to an end. Whether Gao Yunxiang has applied for reconsideration of the judge`s ruling last week, or until next week.
It is understood that lawyer Gao Yunxiang`s application No. 93 last week (that is, to summon a woman to cross-examine the court) was rejected by the judge. In court, the lawyer said that he needed time to consider whether to apply to a higher court for reconsideration. Said the outcome of the consideration was decided by November 23.
As a result, the case, originally scheduled to start at 9:30 this morning, should have made it clear whether Gao Yun had appealed, and to a certain extent decided the course of the case. But only 3 minutes before the trial, reporters saw the defense lawyers team into the court, did not see Gao Yunxiang.
After the hearing, counsel Gao Yunxiang said he had applied for his client not to appear in person before the hearing and to extend the case further until next week. This also means Gao Yunxiang will no longer appear at the next trial.
As to whether Gao Yun Xiang will appeal to the High Court for reconsideration, Australian lawyer Tang Lin analyzed that according to Australian law, the defence can only apply for reconsideration on legal issues, but not on non-legal issues such as factual determination. The success rate of the appeal is the key to the defence`s careful consideration.
Since Gao Yunxiang was exposed to sexual assault in March, the case has been heard for more than eight months, according to the normal process, the next at least six to eight months of trial process, the outcome of the case is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2019. At present, the case is facing a key turning point whether to refer to the District Court for trial.
Gao Yunxiang, who was released on bail in June, rented an apartment in (Chatswood) living in Cheshi, new state, and was asked to comply with stringent conditions such as exit restrictions, curfews, surveillance and daily police reports.
