Cardinal George Pell will face court in Melbourne under an intense international media glare as a hearing begins that will decide if he stands trial on historical sexual offence charges.
The highest-ranking Catholic official to be charged with sexual offences will return to the Melbourne magistrates court on Monday to fight the charges at a month-long preliminary hearing.
Pell, 76, denies the multiple historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants.
Prosecutors on Friday withdrew one of the charges, relating to a complainant who died after the criminal proceedings began in 2017.
The committal hearing will initially be open to the public as the defence and prosecution finalise further administrative matters, but will quickly move behind closed doors as accusers begin their evidence.
Source : theguardian
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