Defence resumes questioning woman in sexual assault trial for ex-Team Canada junior hockey players

Court Resumes in London, Ontario with Cross-Examination of Complainant

Today, defence lawyers representing members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team will continue to cross-examine the complainant in a high-profile sexual assault trial taking place in London, Ontario.

Throughout the week, the counsel has been questioning the complainant, identified as E.M., about her actions and behavior on the night of the alleged assault in 2018. They have probed into how much alcohol she consumed, her behavior at a local bar, and her demeanor in the hotel room where the incident occurred.

The lawyer representing Carter Hart, one of the accused players, suggested that E.M.’s actions led the team to believe she consented to the group sexual activity at the Delta hotel. The defense insinuated that E.M.’s behavior and performance in the room indicated her willingness, to which she responded by explaining that she was in a state of shock and her body was on “autopilot” as she tried to comprehend the situation.

E.M. emphasized that despite any appearances, the men should have recognized that she was not consenting to the sexual activity due to her intoxication and the fact that she was outnumbered.

The players – Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Michael McLeod – are facing charges of sexual assault and have all entered not guilty pleas.