Judge In World Junior Trial Rules Text Exchange Between Two NHLer Witnesses Is Inadmissible
Warning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes graphic details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers.
The judge in the world junior sexual assault trial ruled again Monday that text messages sent between Brett Howden and teammate Taylor Raddysh on June 19, 2018, are inadmissible in court.
Advertisement
The Crown had submitted a hearsay application on Friday to have these texts analyzed further through a cross-examination of Howden by the Crown. The text messages in question feature Howden discussing with Raddysh about how their world junior teammate, Dillon Dube, 'was smacking this girl's ass so hard' and that 'it looks like it hurt so bad.'
Dube is one of five members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship team each facing a charge of sexual assault in relation to a June 2018 incident in which a woman, referred to in court documents as E.M., alleges she was sexually assaulted in a London, Ont., hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala. The other four accused are Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton and Cal Foote.
All five men pleaded not guilty to their charges, with McLeod pleading not guilty to an additional charge of sexual assault as party to the offense. Howden and Raddysh have been witnesses in the trial and are not accused of any wrongdoing.
The presiding judge, Justice Maria Carroccia, explained the 'truth' and 'reliability' of the text messages could not be confirmed. Additionally, she said details in the texts weren't said under oath or while being recorded, unlike traditional admissible statements.
Advertisement
The Crown had put forth two other applications to have these texts examined further as evidence, but with this last application ruled against, that was the last chance.
The Hockey Canada sexual assault trial is taking place at Ontario Superior Court in London, Ont. (Anthony Fava)
Following Carroccia's ruling, the defense began its cross-examination of Howden.
One of Formenton's lawyers, Hilary Dudding, questioned Howden on his memory of when Formenton allegedly went with the woman in the hotel room to the bathroom to have sex. Howden said in a 2018 interview with an investigator that he briefly spoke to Formenton on his way to the bathroom, with Formenton asking Howden if it was 'OK to do this.'
'If she consented, you can if you want, but it's up to you,' Howden said in that interview.
Advertisement
On Monday, Dudding went further into this moment from the hotel room, asking the witness if he thought the woman was 'out of control' due to her intoxication or if she was unable to consent to sex. Howden said she didn't seem too drunk and that she seemed fine leading Formenton to the bathroom.
'What I was seeing was her taking him to the bathroom because she wanted to have sex,' Howden said.
Just before Dudding, Hart's lawyer had some questions for Howden, particularly about his recollection of the events from June 2018.
Megan Savard suggested to Howden that it was hard for him to recall certain events when speaking to investigators just weeks later. Howden agreed.
Advertisement
Savard went further, pointing out that Howden had suffered a head injury during an NHL game in March 2022. The injury in question came when Howden went head-first into the boards following a hit from Nashville Predators left winger Filip Forsberg, and Howden ended up being taken off the ice on a stretcher. Although he didn't confirm with Savard that this hit made his memory worse, he did agree that concussions can lead to memory loss and difficulty concentrating.
As the day neared its end, one of Foote's lawyers showed Howden security videos from Jack's Bar in London – the bar where the men met the complainant on the night of the incident. One of these videos showed Howden and McLeod on the dance floor, with E.M. sandwiched between them.
As the video finished up, Howden appears to place his hand on or around the buttocks of E.M. Defense lawyer Julianna Greenspan asked Howden what he was doing in that moment.
'Looks like I pat her on the butt,' Howden said.
The trial is expected to resume on Tuesday with Greenspan continuing her cross-examination of Howden.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Independent review ordered into Community Living B.C. after starvation death
The B.C. Crown corporation that oversees the care of developmentally disabled people will have its home-share program independently reviewed after an inquest into a starvation death earlier this year. Florence Girard, a woman with Down syndrome, weighed about 50 pounds when she died in 2018 in the Port Coquitlam home of Astrid Dahl, a caregiver funded through Crown corporation Community Living B.C. (CLBC). After the week-long inquest into Girard's death in January, a jury made 11 recommendations to CLBC, including better pay for front-line caregivers and changes to support family members of a vulnerable individual who want to care for their relative in their home. CLBC, the corporation that oversees the care of developmentally disabled people, was created in 2005. It is in charge of caring for 29,000 British Columbians with disabilities such as autism, fetal alcohol syndrome and Down syndrome. Now, the province says it is commissioning an independent review of the organization's home-sharing program, to be conducted by contractor Tamar Consultancy. "We are reviewing CLBC's home-sharing program to ensure that changes made since 2018 are getting people the highest quality of service possible," read a statement from Poverty Reduction Minister Sheila Malcolmson. The province's statement says that it would create an advisory body made up of individuals, families and service providers to inform the review and give recommendations to the ministry. The review is expected to be finished in the fall. In a news release, the CEO of CLBC's board welcomed the independent review. "We want to do everything we can to make sure this model is as strong as it can be, because this is about keeping people safe, and we believe the number of people supported through the home-sharing model will grow considerably," Shane Simpson said. In its statement, the province says that CLBC made a number of changes after Girard's death in 2018, including mandating home visits every three months and annual doctor visits. WATCH | Down syndome advocate and Girard's sister call for changes: Advocates and unions had called for a shakeup of CLBC after the inquest into Girard's death, including demands its board resign. In a statement sent to CBC News at the time, CLBC said that none of its current board members were on the board in 2018 and that by law, the board must include representation from people with developmental disabilities, family members of those who receive services funded by CLBC, and Indigenous people. Following the Girard inquest, CLBC's CEO provided an "unreserved apology" to Girard's family, friends and loved ones and said the organization had failed the B.C. woman's family. In astatement at the time, CLBC said it welcomed the inquest's recommendations and said it was committed to taking concrete actions to strengthen the delivery of home sharing services.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
First Ministers' statement on building a strong Canadian economy and advancing major projects
SASKATOON, SK, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - "Today, Canada's First Ministers met in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to build a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Canadian economy. This marks the first time that a First Ministers' Meeting has taken place in Saskatchewan in over 40 years. "First Ministers expressed their deep concern regarding the wildfire situations across Canada, including in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and pledged to continue to provide assistance and support to impacted provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities. "First Ministers discussed the federal government's plan to remove trade barriers and advance major projects of national interest, including by tabling their One Canadian Economy legislation, so Canada can be stronger at home and abroad. "First Ministers agreed to work together to accelerate major projects in support of building a strong, resilient, and united Canada. As a first step, First Ministers discussed projects of national interest which fit the following criteria, subject to consultation with Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected: Strengthen Canada's autonomy, resilience, and security. Offer undeniable benefits to Canada and support economic growth. Have a high likelihood of successful execution. Are a high priority for Indigenous leaders. Have clean growth potential, such as the use of clean technologies and sustainable practices. "First Ministers also agreed to continue the discussion on projects of national interest, working with provincial and territorial governments. "This is a first step in implementing a broader set of reforms to overhaul the project assessment process. A significantly improved, streamlined project assessment process is necessary for Canada to grow its economy to become the strongest in the G7 and a global energy superpower. "First Ministers are committed to immediately begin to address project approval and permitting efficiency and timelines for all projects. Premiers welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to ensuring all federal assessment decisions are rendered within two years, beginning with projects of national interest. First Ministers also agreed to work toward efficiently and effectively implementing 'one project, one review' with the goal of a single assessment for all projects, in a manner that respects federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdiction, enhancing co-ordination activities on permitting and eliminating duplication. This will help kickstart economic growth and ensure that projects get built in a timely manner. First Ministers pledged to fulfil the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous Peoples and discussed ways to strengthen Indigenous ownership and partnerships to provide Indigenous communities with generational economic opportunities. "Nation-building infrastructure and corridors, such as highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, nuclear projects, clean and conventional energy projects, and electricity transmission systems, are crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness. First Ministers agreed that Canada must work urgently to get Canadian natural resources and commodities to domestic and international markets, such as critical minerals and decarbonized Canadian oil and gas by pipelines, supported by the private sector, that provide access to diversified global markets, including Asia and Europe. First Ministers also agreed to build cleaner and more affordable electricity systems to reduce emissions and increase reliability toward achieving net zero by 2050. In order to generate economic and social benefits, this work must be done by bringing together the right conditions, including Indigenous equity and participation, and deferring to provincial and territorial environmental assessments, where applicable. "First Ministers also discussed needed investments in dual-use infrastructure in Northern and Arctic communities that will address Canada's Arctic sovereignty and security goals, meet local community needs, advance national energy independence, and unlock the North's economic potential. Indigenous equity and participation will be pivotal to the success of these projects. Premiers acknowledged the federal commitment to move quickly to improve Canada's defence capabilities and meet international spending targets. "Through recent federal, provincial, and territorial efforts and actions led by the Committee on Internal Trade and the Forum of Labour Market Ministers, significant progress has been made toward removing internal trade barriers and further facilitating the movement of goods, services, and workers across the country. Recognizing there is more work to do, First Ministers committed to unlock multilateral, economy-wide mutual recognition and labour mobility, while respecting Québec's specificity. First Ministers directed the Committee on Internal Trade to rapidly conclude a comprehensive Mutual Recognition Agreement covering consumer goods, in alignment with the Committee on Internal Trade discussions, with implementation by December 2025. In addition, they directed their Ministers of Transport to work together to rapidly expand the trucking pilot. They also agreed to a 30-day service standard for pan-Canadian credential recognition. "First Ministers also stressed the importance of creating a new economic and security relationship with the United States to remove the unjustified American tariffs – including longstanding unjustified duties on softwood lumber – and create a more stable and predictable trade environment. They underscored they all have a role to play to achieve this. "The federal government committed to working urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products. First Ministers emphasized the critical importance of regular and ongoing engagement with China at the highest level to improve the overall trade relationship. In the face of ongoing tariffs, they also discussed opportunities to diversify trade and broaden market access for Canadian exporters. "First Ministers emphasized the importance of joint efforts to maintain safe and secure communities, including by enhancing the criminal justice system through meaningful and urgent bail and sentencing reforms supporting law enforcement, addressing delays in the criminal justice process, and reviewing risk assessment for sentencing and release of repeat sex offenders and individuals charged with intimate partner violence and gender-based violence crimes. First Ministers recognized the devastating impact the toxic illegal drug supply is having on Canadian communities and committed to dismantling the illicit drug trade, including fentanyl and its precursors. First Ministers directed federal-provincial-territorial Attorneys General and Ministers of Justice and Public Safety to bring forward an action plan to promote safe and vibrant communities for consideration at a future meeting. "First Ministers agreed to continue to work collaboratively and address the priorities of all Canadians in every region of the country. To that end, they will meet regularly to drive action on shared priorities vital to Canada's security and economic resilience." This document is also available at SOURCE Prime Minister's Office View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
King Charles Makes History in Canada with First Throne Speech in 50 Years
As the country's head of state, King Charles III traveled to Canada to give a speech at the opening of parliament in Ottawa May 27. It was the first time a monarch had delivered what is known as the 'throne speech' in almost 50 years. 'The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada,' said the 76-year-old, who ascended the throne in 2022 after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. 'It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present.' The royal concluded with a nod to 'O Canada,' which was officially proclaimed the national anthem in 1980. 'As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free!' The two-day trip came amid Charles' continuing cancer battle, but he and wife Queen Camilla did not let his health issues slow them down. The pair visited a farmers' market, where they enjoyed a traditional Mexican dance troupe. The sovereign later picked up a shovel to plant a tree at the capital's Rideau Hall, after which the crowd spontaneously broke into a rendition of 'God Save the King.' The monarch also met with various charities as well as the chief of the National Assembly of First Nations. After heading home, Charles thanked Canada for 'the warmest of welcomes — and the fondest of returns.'
