All players acquitted in Hockey Canada sex assault trial. Live updates here
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia has acquitted all five players involved in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote had all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ont., hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.
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I'll admit I wanted to be outraged at the not guilty verdicts, but then there is this which reduces the victims credibility, which doesn't mean assault didn't happen but it causes doubt:
Some of the complainant’s testimony was proven to be wrong by video evidence, the judge says.
For example, E.M. testified that she felt isolated at the bar, that she tried to sneak away but was followed, the judge said. But video shows she had an extended conversation with a bouncer while there, whom she said was a friend.
E.M. also said she was completely out of it when she arrived at the hotel, the judge recounted. However, she added, video showed E.M. exiting the cab, checking her phone, and walking up the stairs without difficulty.
This has unfortunately been the case in sexual assault cases since...forever, really.
There are almost never any witnesses, human memory is fallible, alcohol is sometimes a factor...the justice system is not well-equipped to handle it.
… not equipped to handle what, exactly?
Sexual assault is a pretty serious charge, and it appears in this case that the alleged victim seriously damaged her own credibility on several claims. I fully admit to not knowing a lot of this specific case but it sure seems like the justice system prevailed in upholding justice given the facts we have.
So I read into it, and her testimony spanned 9 days with seven cross examinations. Not to mention she's recounting events that happened seven years ago while possibly very drunk.
Not to mention they switched from a trial by jury to a judge only verdict after the defense was found talking to jurors in one instance and "laughing" at them another time (don't really get that).
Not saying that proves one thing or another, but just shows how problematic it can be holding trial over sexual assault charges.
Not equipped to handle sexual assault cases. This is a very well-documented issue.
Our court systems are setup to require "beyond reasonable doubt" but sexual assault cases struggle to meet that threshold anytime there is even a little bit of grey area, then they also struggle on the defendants side when it comes to reputational loss.
It sounds like there was a reasonable bit of doubt there. Are we set up to handle that in our system ?
Anyone can check their phone while wasted and talk to a bouncer while tripping balls. Fuck this verdict.