The jury in a Maryborough murder trial has been sensationally discharged because of a commercial television report.
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The trial, which was due to sit in the Supreme Court in Ballarat for its fourth day on Friday, has now been adjourned until a new jury can be empanelled.
The trial will have to re-start from the beginning and all evidence will need to be heard again.
The Supreme Court confirmed to Australian Community Media that Justice John Champion discharged the jury.
An application for discharge was made on behalf of the accused following a news report that appeared on local channel WIN at 6pm on Thursday night.
Judge Champion made the ruling on the basis the report contained information that had not been and was not to be put in front of the jury, the court confirmed.
The case has been listed for further mention in July, in Melbourne.
The accused man, 40-year-old Ben Wardlaw from Percydale, has been remanded in custody until the case returns to court.
Wardlaw is accused of murdering Karen Ashcroft, who died in Maryborough in May, 2018.
He had pleaded not guilty to murder.
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