Tone and timing of text messages under scrutiny in Hamilton police officer’s sexual assault trial
Defence lawyers for Hamilton police Const. Jeffrey Turnbull continued their cross-examination of the woman accusing him of sexual assault in March 2022, probing the timeline and selection of text messages exchanged between the two colleagues in the early months of that year. Turnbull has maintained his innocence against the allegations made by the 28-year-old police constable, whose identity remains protected by a publication ban.
The woman recounted in greater detail the events that transpired leading up to the assault, which she claims occurred over a four-month period before culminating in an incident in the basement of Turnbull’s home. The trial, taking place before the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton, commenced on Tuesday under the supervision of Justice Jennifer Marie Campitelli.
During the cross-examination by defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy, the complainant was questioned about the series of text message screenshots she provided to police investigators following her report in April 2022. The order and relevance of the messages were scrutinized, with Mulcahy pointing out inconsistencies in the timeline and content of the screenshots.
Mulcahy also highlighted instances where Turnbull apologized via text, gave gifts, and attempted to maintain contact with the woman despite her expressed desire for distance. The defence suggested that the relationship between the two officers was friendly, characterized by the exchange of memes, music, and conversations about their personal lives.
The woman acknowledged receiving gifts from Turnbull but stated that his actions made her uncomfortable. Mulcahy pointed out that the woman did not explicitly ask Turnbull to stop contacting her, despite his inquiries about continuing their communication.
The defence further challenged the woman’s account by presenting recovered Snapchat message history and reviewing her work schedule to verify the events she described. Mulcahy suggested that certain interactions, such as sexting and sharing intimate photos, did not occur as the woman claimed.
The trial is ongoing, with the defence continuing its cross-examination of the woman on Friday. For individuals who have experienced sexual assault, support is available through crisis lines and local services provided by the Ending Violence Association of Canada database.
