Leifer jury told to relax before resuming deliberations
Jurors considering verdicts in ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer’s sexual abuse trial have been sent home after another day of deliberations and urged to relax.
Malka Leifer is led out of the Jerusalem District Court. Jerusalem, Jun 14, 2018. Photo by Hillel Maeir/TPS
Leifer, 56, is accused of sexually abusing Melbourne sisters Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper when she was head of religion and principal of the Adass Israel School in the city’s eastern suburbs between 2003 and 2007.
The mother of eight pleaded not guilty to 27 charges and has faced trial in the Victorian County Court.
Judge Mark Gamble sent jurors home on Wednesday afternoon with suggestions they walk, run, watch movies, listen to music or play with their pets as a way to clear their minds overnight.
“Try and relax as much as you can overnight to try and recharge and bring a fresh mind into those deliberations tomorrow,” he said.
The jury of six men and six women deliberated for just over 21 hours across six days.
They revealed on Tuesday they have reached unanimous verdicts on some charges, and believed with more time they could reach agreement on the rest.
AAP
