Carter Hart takes the stand in Hockey Canada trial after Crown concludes its case
LONDON, Ont. – Carter Hart, one of five players charged in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, took the stand Thursday morning as the first witness for the defense after the prosecution told Justice Maria Carroccia that the Crown has called all of its witnesses and has concluded its case.
The Crown's announcement followed an unexpected development late in Wednesday's proceedings in which Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham told the court there was a possibility that the Crown would call an additional player witness. Cunningham asked for time to consider that possibility, which prompted one of the more tense exchanges of the trial as she and defense attorney Megan Savard sparred about what Cunningham characterized as the 'late-breaking events.'
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Savard protested that the defense had not been provided ample notice. Cunningham pushed back and read from an email in which the Crown notified the defense had been told he may be called as an additional witness. Carroccia ruled in the Crown's favor, allowing Cunningham and assistant Crown attorney Heather Donkers time to discuss whether to call the player as a witness.
Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Alex Formenton and Cal Foote are each accused of sexual assault for a 2018 incident in which a 20-year-old woman said she was assaulted over the span of several hours in a London, Ont. hotel room while the players were in town to celebrate their 2019 Canadian World Juniors championship. All five players pleaded not guilty in the trial, which is now in its sixth week.
This story will be updated.
The Athletic's Dan Robson reported remotely from Toronto and The Athletic's Kamila Hinkson reported remotely from Montreal.
(Photo by Photo by Andy Devlin / Getty Images)
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