Aboriginal protester wears kangaroo pelt and a loincloth to court - as he chokes back tears addressing a jury over Old Parliament House arson charge
- Indigenous protester charged over arson fire
- Bruce Shillingsworth is on trial in the ACT Supreme Court
- Tells jury to decide on 'what is right, not on what is lawful'
A man accused of aiding and abetting the arson of Old Parliament House has broken down as he pleaded with the jury to reach a verdict on 'what is right, not what is lawful'.
Bruce Shillingsworth Jr, a Muruwarri and Budjiti man from north-western NSW, is accused of being a ringleader of the group who damaged the building in December 2021.
The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charges of aiding and abetting arson and damaging Commonwealth property.
It is alleged Shillingsworth helped a second man, Nicholas Reed, by clearing the way to the portico outside of Old Parliament House as he carried hot coals to the doors.
A man accused of aiding and abetting the arson of Old Parliament House has broken down as he pleaded with the jury to reach a verdict on 'what is right, not what is lawful'. Bruce Shillingsworth is pictured outside the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday
Reed is also standing trial for the incident, charged with arson. He has pleaded not guilty.
At the time of the incident, protesters had gathered outside Old Parliament House and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra for a number of days, the court was told.
The protest had been mostly peaceful up until the incident.
Crown prosecutor Soraya Saikal-Skea told the jury the prosecution case was that Reed was the principal offender and Shillingsworth aided and abetted the arson by concealing cameras and not allowing police to put out the fire.
She said police had been attempting to negotiate with the protesters at the time the fire was 'deliberately lit'.
Shillingsworth is representing himself.
Shillingworth appeared before the court in a purple headdress and loincloth, with a kangaroo pelt draped across his shoulders.
Shillingworth, who first appeared before the court in a purple headdress, loincloth and kangaroo pelt draped across his shoulders, asked the jury to not accept the prosecution's argument.
"The prosecution is painting the picture of an angry First Nations mob."
At the time of the fire, police had been gathered inside Old Parliament House, which was still open to the public as a tourist destination, housing the Museum of Australian Democracy
At the time of the fire, police had been gathered inside Old Parliament House, which was still open to the public as a tourist destination, housing the Museum of Australian Democracy.
Former detective inspector Adrian Craft, who was responsible for overseeing the protests, said at the time of the incident a number of police were gathered inside the building.
But after smoke could be seen under the doors, and the smoke alarm was activated, police took action.
Body camera footage, tendered to the court, showed a dozen members of ACT Policing struggling against the protesters as they linked arms, forming a horseshoe to protect the fire.
Officers quickly retreated as the crowd, which Shillingsworth was part of, pushed back and screamed 'stand down' at them.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12464285/bruce-shillingsworth.html
Bruce Makudda Shillingsworth, a proud Muruwari and Budjiti man, filmed himself confronting police
Shillingsworth and Nicholas Reid were ringleaders of the group that had been camping near the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and damaged Old Parliament House (above, on fire)
Bruce Shillingsworth junior and his dad, First Nations activists
Bruce Shillingsworth senior (pictured), a Muruwari and Budjiti man
Mr Shillingsworth senior
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