Hockey Canada trial: Judge does not find accuser's evidence ‘either credible or reliable'

The Guardian

5 days ago

A Canadian judge has found that prosecutors failed to prove five professional hockey players committed sexual assault, ruling the complainant's evidence was neither 'credible or reliable'.
Superior Court justice Maria Carroccia delivered her decision Thursday in a packed Ontario courtroom, telling those present: 'Having found that I cannot rely upon the evidence of [the complainant] and then considering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus as on any of the counts before me.'
Carroccia has yet to hand down an official verdict.
The ruling will mark the end of a high-profile case that has drawn national attention and rocked Canadian hockey. The players – Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton – were charged in early 2024 in connection with an alleged group assault of a 20-year-old woman in a London, Ontario, hotel room in 2018. McLeod faced an additional charge of being a party to the offense.
None of the five are currently signed to NHL contracts.
The woman, testifying via video from another room in the courthouse, alleged she was intoxicated, naked and frightened when multiple men entered the hotel room and engaged in sexual activity with her without ensuring she was consenting. Prosecutors argued the players did 'what they wanted' and failed to seek clear, voluntary consent.
Defense lawyers cross-examined the complainant for several days, suggesting she was a willing participant and had wanted a 'wild night'. She testified she had no memory of making such statements and insisted the men should have seen she was not in her right mind.
Justice Carroccia's decision came after she dismissed the jury midway through the trial in June, following a complaint that defense attorneys were allegedly laughing at jurors. Though the accused lawyers denied the claim and Carroccia said she did not witness concerning behavior herself, she ruled the jury's perception of bias rendered them unable to remain impartial.
The alleged incident occurred during a 2018 Hockey Canada gala celebrating that year's world junior championship team. A police investigation was initially closed in 2019 with no charges filed. Hockey Canada launched its own probe but halted it in 2020 after the woman declined to participate. In 2022, a settlement between Hockey Canada and the woman sparked public backlash, prompting renewed interest in the case.
Police reopened the investigation and laid charges in 2024 after what they described as new evidence came to light.
Protesters gathered outside the packed courthouse on Thursday morning, holding signs that signaled support for the complainant.
This is a developing story. More to follow.