Particle.news
Download on the App Store
16 ARTICLES
·
3d ago

Defence Intensifies Cross-Examination in World Junior Sexual Assault Trial

Lawyers for the accused question the complainant’s credibility, memory, and motivations as the trial progresses in London, Ontario.

A composite image of five photographs show former members of Canada's 2018 World Juniors hockey team, left to right, Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Carter Hart as they individually arrived to court in London, Ont., on April 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
Carter Hart leaves the courthouse with this lawyer, Megan Savard, in London, Ont. on Friday, May 2, 2025.
E.M., as she's known in court documents, is seen appearing virtually in a courtroom sketch in London, Ont., Friday, May 2, 2025.
Image

Overview

  • The complainant, E. M., testified she felt coerced into sexual acts by five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team, who have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges.
  • Defence lawyers have suggested E. M. was a willing participant, citing her alleged adoption of a 'porn star persona' and questioning her memory of events and inconsistencies in her statements.
  • E. M. denied claims that she invited other players into the hotel room or sought a 'wild night,' maintaining she felt outnumbered, intoxicated, and unable to leave.
  • The court was instructed by Justice Maria Carroccia not to consider Hockey Canada’s 2022 civil settlement as evidence of guilt in the criminal trial.
  • The trial remains in the cross-examination phase, with defence lawyers probing discrepancies between E. M.’s 2018 police statements and her 2022 statement to Hockey Canada.