Leifer wants jury to decide abuse charges – trial brought forward
The trial for former ultra-orthodox school principal and accused child abuser Malka Leifer will begin in August.
Malka Leifer in court June 14, 2018 Photo: Hillel Maeir/TPS
The 55-year-old was ordered to stand trial in October last year after pleading not guilty to 90 charges of child sexual abuse following her extradition from Israel.
A five-week trial was expected to begin late this year but on Wednesday prosecutors and defence teams agreed to bring the hearing forward.
The trial is now expected to begin before County Court Judge Mark Gamble – the head of the court’s criminal division – on August 1.
Defence lawyers previously told the court Leifer was considering a judge-alone hearing of her case.
She will instead have the case heard by a jury, barrister Ian Hill QC said on Wednesday.
Leifer is accused of abusing sisters Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper during her time at the Adass Israel School in Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs between 2004 and 2008.
She has been remanded in custody until another directions hearing on May 11 ahead of pre-trial legal arguments in July.
AAP
