Warning: This story contains graphic details and allegations of sexual assault
The second week in the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players wrapped up on Friday.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an encounter at a hotel room in London, Ont., in 2018.
The week started with the prosecution wrapping up it’s questioning of E.M., the complainant in the case.
When asked by Crown Attorney Meaghan Cunningham how she was feeling in the moments of the alleged assault, E.M. said “I felt, it’s a weird feeling of just my mind kind of separating itself from my body. I just remember the way I pictured that night, and it felt as if my mind kind of floated to the top corner of the ceiling and I just started watching everything happen... I just didn’t feel like I had any control, I didn’t feel like I had a choice.”
Michael McLeod’s lawyer was the first defence attorney to question E.M.
It was brought to the jury’s attention that at the time of the alleged assaults, E.M. had a boyfriend - the two are still together and plan to marry in August.
Humphrey also suggested it was E.M. who asked for more of the men to be brought back to the room for a “wild night.”
On the eigth day of the trial, defence attorney Megan Savard, representing Carter Hart, suggested E.M. took on the “persona of a porn star” while in room 209 at the Delta hotel.
“I don‘t have memory of offering that up, but based on the persona I was trying to use to cope, [it] could be possible,” said E.M.
On Friday, the third defence attory began questioning E.M. Daniel Brown, representing Alex Formenton, alternated between showing E.M. video clips of Jack’s bar the night of June 18, 2018, and copies of her statements to police days later and to Hockey Canada as part of a separate investigation in 2022.
Using the videos and statements to attack E.M.’s credibility and the reliability of her testimony, Brown explained to the court the chronology of what was seen on the video clips was different from what she said to investigators.
The trial continues on May 12.
- Here’s a recap of week one of the trial
- Day 6: ‘It was all just a joke to them’: complainant testifies at hockey players’ sexual assault trial
- Day 7: Defence in hockey players’ sex-assault trial suggests complainant wanted ‘a wild night’ with group at hotel
- Day 8: Court hears complainant took on ‘persona’ of adult film star during hockey players’ sexual assault trial
- Day 9: Defence continues cross-examining complainant at hockey players’ sex assault trial
- Day 10: Defence lawyer challenges complainant’s testimony in hockey sex-assault trial
If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911.
A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found on the website for Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada.
Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found here.
National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419
24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010
Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648
Read about your rights as a victim here.
