Judge apologised to an angry jury, after the trial of two brothers alleged to have been harbouring scores of illegal workers at their northern suburbs tomato farm, abandoned after eight months

A judge has apologised to an angry and weary jury, after the trial of two brothers alleged to have been harbouring scores of illegal workers at their northern suburbs tomato farm — which was originally scheduled to take eight weeks — collapsed after nearly eight months.

District Court Judge Stephen Scott today dismissed the jury which since October had been hearing the cases against Minh Canh Le, his brother Michael Le and three alleged accomplices, who were also accused of laundering the money made from the exploitation of illegal workers.

After months of detailed evidence, dozens of witnesses and numerous delays — prompted by repeated arguments from defence lawyers they had not been disclosed all the relevant evidence — the trial was officially abandoned last week.

On Monday, the remaining 12 jury members were told by Judge Scott that despite their diligence and considerable disruption to their lives, they would be not be required to bring down a verdict.

“You didn’t sign up for seven months, you didn’t sign up for 11 months – you signed up for 10 weeks,” Judge Scott said.

via Long-winded Carabooda trial abandoned after eight months | PerthNow