Latest news with #WorldJuniorHockey
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We've got a long way to go': Public reaction grows after Canada's former World Junior Hockey players acquitted of sexual assault
Five members of Canada's 2018 world junior team charged with sexual assault were acquitted, but they likely won't find themselves back in the NHL anytime soon Ont-Hockey Canada-Sexual Assault 20250724 The verdict of a widely publicized sexual assault trial involving five former NHL players has ignited a complex national conversation with Canadians weighing the outcome through lenses of accountability, justice and hockey's cultural grip. Members of Canada's World Junior Hockey squad — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, and Dillon Dube — were charged with sexually assaulting E.M., a woman whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, in a hotel room in 2018 while the team was gathering to celebrate its gold medal win months before. On Thursday, following eight weeks of trial, Ontario Superior Court justice Maria Carroccia found all of the accused men not guilty on all charges. Judge did not find complainant's evidence to be 'credible or reliable' As part of her judgment on Thursday, Justice Carroccia stated that she found the evidence submitted by the prosecution to be unreliable, before going ahead and sharing the reasoning behind her decision. Going through each defendant one-by-one, Justice Carroccia said the Crown had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant in the case, E.M., had not given consent. Hour-after-hour on Thursday, Justice Carroccia laid out a number of issues she found with the evidence and E.M's "reliability and credibility." Carroccia noted several "gaps in E.M.'s memory and discrepancies between her statements to London police and her civil settlement in 2022 compared to her recollections under cross-examination," according to the CBC. Justice Carroccia also told the court that the complainant 'exaggerated her intoxication' on the night the alleged acts took place, while rejecting the Crown's argument that E.M. had only participated in the sexual because she was afraid of the group of men in the hotel room. 'We've got a long way to go': Canadians react to Justice Carroccia's ruling Following the acquittal of each former NHLer, many social media users expressed their dissatisfaction with the verdict, while offering support to E.M. Outside the courthouse in London, Ont., on Thursday, Lawyer Karen Bellehumeur told reporters her client, E.M., faced "insulting mocking and unfair treatment" during cross-examination as she went on to reflect on the judgment. 'She's obviously very disappointed with the verdict and very disappointed with her Honour's assessment of her honesty and reliability' said Bellehumeur. Where does the NHL stand on the players' future in the league? Per insider John Shannon, it's still unknown whether the five acquitted players will ever be allowed to make their way back to the NHL, despite being found innocent by Justice Carroccia. The NHL released a statement confirming Shannon's report: "The allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behaviour at issue was unacceptable. We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings. While we conduct that analysis and determine next steps, the players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league." Crown has 30 days to appeal the verdict Following Thursday's verdict, assistant Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham spoke to reporters outside the courthouse as supporters of E.M. cheered. 'A successful prosecution is not measured solely by whether or not there are guilty verdicts at the end,' Cunningham said. Cunningham added the Crown will 'carefully review' Carroccia's decisions but won't comment further because "this case is still within the appeal period."
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Canadian hockey sex assault trial judge says 'Crown cannot meet its onus of proof for the charges'
An Ontario judge is delivering her ruling Thursday in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team, saying she did not find the complainant's testimony to be credible. Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia said the Crown cannot meet its onus of proof for the charges in the case. She is still reading the reasons for her decision and hasn't officially ruled on the charges against each player. Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ontario, hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018. McLeod, who prosecutors allege was the 'ringleader' that night, has also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault. The players, who are now between the ages of 25 and 27, were in London at the time for a gala and golf tournament marking their championship victory. Protesters gathered outside a packed London courthouse on Thursday morning, holding signs that signaled support for the complainant. ___
CBC
5 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Hockey Canada sexual assault trial to be decided today
The Latest Ontario Justice Maria Carroccia delivers her decisions today in the London sexual assault trial of five former players with Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team. Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote have all pleaded not guilty. Hart was the only accused who testified. The complainant, E.M., whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, testified over nine days. Today's hearing begins around 10 a.m. ET. WARNING: Court proceedings include details of alleged sexual assault and might affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Shocking Hockey Canada sexual assault trial ends as judge's verdict on disgraced NHL stars looms on July 24
The high-profile sexual assault trial involving five former members of the 2018 World Junior Hockey team has concluded in London (Image via The Canadian Press) After eight grueling weeks of emotional testimony, disturbing evidence, and fierce courtroom exchanges, the high-profile sexual assault trial involving five former members of the 2018 World Junior Hockey team has officially concluded in London, Ontario. Justice Maria Carroccia will deliver her verdict on July 24, a decision that could alter the reputations and futures of the accused athletes and reshape public trust in Hockey Canada. Eight weeks of disturbing testimony close in high-profile Hockey Canada case Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote have all pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged group sexual assault in June 2018. The Crown alleges the incident occurred at a hotel after a Hockey Canada event, with E.M., the complainant—whose identity remains protected—testifying that she was assaulted over several hours after initially agreeing to have consensual sex with McLeod. — TheHockeyNews (@TheHockeyNews) Crown attorneys Meaghan Cunningham and Heather Donkers centered their final arguments on the issue of consent. Cunningham pointed to videos filmed by McLeod, supposedly showing E.M. consenting, as evidence of coercion rather than clarity. 'She's simply agreeing with him when he's making it clear what he wants her to say,' Cunningham said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta pastilla olvidada limpia las venas a gran velocidad NEWSCASA Undo The Crown argued that E.M. was placed in a highly vulnerable situation—intoxicated, naked, and surrounded by multiple unfamiliar men—and that the players took no steps to ensure active, ongoing consent. 'No one thought like that,' Cunningham added. 'Because they were thinking in terms of rape myths and mistakes of law about what consent is.' Each defense team aggressively challenged E.M.'s credibility. Lawyers painted her as the sexual aggressor who encouraged group sex and later fabricated the assault claim out of regret. Defense attorney Julianna Greenspan accused the prosecution of playing to public sentiment, saying, 'The Crown… has throughout this trial been preoccupied with litigating the public opinion through the media.' Also Read: 'She initially tried to resist': Crown argues Hockey Canada accuser felt forced into s*x acts during 2018 assault involving five players As Carroccia deliberates over the summer, the spotlight will remain fixed on the courtroom—and on Hockey Canada's role in a scandal that continues to stir national outrage and reflection. The decision, and the response it triggers, may redefine the intersection of power, consent, and accountability in Canadian sport.
Globe and Mail
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
The Hockey Canada trial and how we talk to young men
On Monday, closing arguments are set to begin in the trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Hockey Team. Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were charged with sexually assaulting a woman known publicly as E.M. in London, Ont., in June of 2018. Michael McLeod also faces a second charge of being a party to sexual assault. All five men have pleaded not guilty. Rachel Giese is the author of the 2018 book, Boys: What It Means to Become a Man. She's also a deputy national editor at The Globe and Mail. Today, she's on the show to unpack what this trial tells us about our cultural understanding of consent and masculinity, and how we can have better conversations with boys and young men by reaching them where they're at. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@
