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National

Jury discharged during second trial of ADFA rape accused

Harlan Agresti's lawyers argued the cadet believed the woman had consented.

The jury in the retrial of former Australian Defence Force Academy cadet Harlan Agresti, who has been accused of raping a colleague, has been discharged.

This is the second time Mr Agresti has faced trial over the matter.

Prosecutors alleged 23-year-old Mr Agresti sexually assaulted a colleague in 2013 while she was so drunk she was incapable of consenting.

But Mr Agresti's lawyers maintained he had received consent, and that the woman had made the allegations after rumours about the pair began circulating.

In court today Justice Michael Elkaim dismissed the jury after it failed to reach a verdict.

No indication was given as to whether a second retrial would be held.

Over the course of the trial, the court heard recorded evidence from the woman, who said she only had "snippets" of memory of the alleged rape.

Defence lawyers also accused the prosecution of unduly attacking Mr Agresti, calling the trial "every young man's worst nightmare".

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