Five former players from Canada’s World Ice Hockey team 2018 have not been found guilty of sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel room that year, a judge said on Thursday.
The accusations against Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote came from an incident in a hotel room in the Canadian city of London after a Hockey Canada gala to celebrate the team’s world victory.
All five former players of the Hockey National Union (NHL) were charged with a number of sexual assault, while McLeod faced an additional charge to be a party. Everyone admitted that they are not guilty.
McLeod was also acquitted for the additional charge.
“The allegations made in this case, even if they were not considered criminal, were very annoying and that behavior were unacceptable,” the NHL said in a statement, adding that it would revise the judge’s findings.
“While conducting this analysis and look at the next steps, the players charged in this case cannot play in the league,” NHL said.
According to CBC News, Justice Maria Carroccia told the court that she did not find that the complainant’s evidence was “reliable or reliable” and that the crown failed to prove that she did not agree with sexual activity.
Karen Bellehumeur, a lawyer of the complainant, who is only recognized as EM due to a ban on publication, said she had spoken to her client – who watched the distance – after the verdict.
“She is obviously very frustrated by the result and with the assessment of her honor for her sincerity and credibility,” Bellehumeur said. “He has never experienced that he is not believed so before.”
Powerman Crown Meaghan Cunningham told reporters that they would “carefully review” Carroccia’s decision, but refused further comments as the case is still in the appeal period.
The defense focused on Em’s credibility.
“The carefully reasoned decision by Justice Carroccia represents a strong justice for Mr McLeod and his colleagues,” said McLeod’s lawyer David Humphrey.
“He found that the complainant’s testimony had no credibility and was unreliable.”
When charges were put in January 2024, McLeod and Foote were with New Jersey Devils, Dube played for Calgary’s flames, Hart for Philadelphia Flyers and Formenton played in Switzerland.
The trial, which began in April and drew national attention, faced repeated disorders, including abuse and two layoffs of the jury, before the case continued as a judge.
Police closed an initial investigation without charges in February 2019. However, the case was re -opened in July 2022 after public anger about reports that Hockey Canada used players’ registration fees to fund a private settlement with the complainant.
The scandal has led the Canadian federal government to freeze Canada’s hockey funding for 10 months. Several major sponsors cease or cancel agreements with the organization.
In response, Hockey Canada pledged to stop using the pool funded by players to settle sexual assault claims. The CEO and the Board of Directors of the Agency resigned.
In 2023, Hockey Canada said that an independent team had a hearing to determine if some members of the 2018 team violated their Code of Conduct and if so, what sanctions should follow.
The final report is under the appeal and remains confidential.
The Hockey Canada has not called the party that has filed the appeal. In September, the Commission ceased to hear the appeal until the criminal proceedings were completed.
“To maintain the integrity of the continuing appeal of the Commission’s report, we cannot comment further right now,” Hockey Canada said in a statement after the verdict.
a href=”https://www.geo.tv/latest/615652-five-former-hockey-canada-players-found-not-guilty-of-sexual-assault”>Source link
