Breaking: Woman Testifies in High-Profile World Junior Hockey Sexual Assault Case; Defendants Deny Charges
In a bombshell moment in the ongoing high-profile sexual assault trial, the unidentified female complainant has begun her testimony, describing feeling uncomfortable and pressured into sexual acts by five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey team. The woman, referred to as E.M. in court documents, is appearing virtually in the London, Ontario courtroom, not in the presence of the five defendants.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote, all integral members of the championship-winning team, have pleaded not guilty to the charges of sexual assault. McLeod faces an additional charge of being a party to the offence. The charges stem from an alleged non-consensual group sex incident in a London hotel room in June 2018 when the complainant was 20 years old.
In her testimony, the woman detailed feeling drunk and uncomfortable after agreeing to have sex with McLeod in his room. She alleges McLeod invited other teammates into the room, and she felt pressured to participate in sexual acts. The complainant’s testimony continues Friday.
Earlier this week, teammates Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk testified. Raddysh, now an NHL player for the Washington Capitals, recalled seeing a woman in bed under the covers in McLeod’s room but couldn’t say if she was clothed or consenting. Court has also viewed videos and a group chat screenshot related to the case.
The trial, which began Monday, is expected to last several weeks. Stay with us for live updates.
Breaking: World Junior Hockey Sexual Assault Trial Begins, Complainant Testifies
UPDATE: The complainant, identified only as E.M., has begun her testimony in the high-profile sexual assault trial involving five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team. The trial, which began on Monday, is expected to last several weeks.
Background:
- Five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote—are facing charges of sexual assault.
- McLeod is also charged with being a party to the offence of sexual assault.
- The charges stem from an alleged non-consensual group sex incident in a London, Ont., hotel room in June 2018.
Complainant’s Testimony:
- E.M., the complainant, is testifying virtually, not in the presence of the defendants.
- She described feeling drunk and uncomfortable after being invited to McLeod’s hotel room following a night out.
- "They would move my hand to touch their crotch area," she alleged, adding she felt awkward and was "just trying to dance and have fun."
- Videos played in court earlier this week showed E.M. in the hotel room, smiling and saying, "It was all consensual," and "I enjoyed it."
Key Witnesses:
- Taylor Raddysh, now an NHL player, testified earlier this week. He recalled seeing a woman in bed under the covers in McLeod’s room, who "seemed fine."
- Boris Katchouk, another former teammate, testified about seeing E.M. in McLeod’s room and being offered oral sex by McLeod.
Prosecution’s Argument:
- The Crown has argued that the videos and group chat messages do not prove consent.
- They allege that as many as 10 people were present, and several sexual acts occurred without E.M.’s voluntary consent.
Did you know?
- This trial is one of the highest-profile sexual assault cases in Canadian sports history.
- The complainant’s identity is protected under a standard publication ban.
Pro tips:
- Always practice enthusiastic, ongoing, and clear consent in sexual encounters.
- If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to local support resources.
FAQ:
- Q: What happens if the defendants are found guilty?
- A: If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison, according to Canadian law.
Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story. What do you think about the ongoing trial? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of 247sports.new. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice.
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