Lehrmann chose to take the matter down a path where he was seeking a considerable sum of money, but which was open to a judge finding that he had committed a rape. Lehrmann sought a judgment and received one different to what he was hoping for. The only issue I have with the whole thing is that this was considered as a defamation matter at all. Lehrmann's reputation wasn't damaged by the TV programs over which he was suing, it was damaged when the DPP charged him. Anyone who formed a negative view of him over the TV program (which could only have been a small number of political insiders) would have formed the same view when he was charged. The TV programs made no difference to public opinion of him, so where's the damage to his reputation required for defamation?
