Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Jury Discharged in 2018 World Junior Hockey Sexual Assault Trial
The jury overseeing the sexual assault case involving five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team has been dismissed. The sexual assault trial, which has garnered significant attention, will now proceed with the judge alone rendering the verdict. This unexpected turn of events raises questions about the future of the case and the pursuit of justice.
Judge Dismisses Jury, Trial to Continue
Justice Maria Carroccia informed the jury of the decision in a London, Ontario, courtroom on Friday morning. “I have determined in this case that it is appropriate to discharge the jury,” Carroccia told them. “I know that you have dedicated four weeks to this trial. You have my thanks, as well as those of the court staff and counsel. You are now free to leave.”
The trial will now continue with Justice Carroccia acting as the sole arbiter, meaning she will deliver the verdict without a jury’s input.
Defense Reacts to Jury Discharge
Following Carroccia’s announcement, defense attorneys for Alex Formenton, Daniel Brown, and Hilary Dudding released a joint statement to the press.
“This was a regrettable development for Mr. Formenton. He had very much wanted to be tried by a jury of his peers and has now lost that opportunity,” the statement read.
“We, his counsel, found ourselves involved in the unusual chain of events that led to this outcome. In short, a juror came to somehow believe that our courtroom demeanor was disrespectful of her.”
According to the defense, “This was an unfortunate misinterpretation. No defense counsel would risk alienating a juror, and nothing could be further from the truth in this instance. While it is true that co-counsel will speak with one another from time to time during a trial, this is commonplace. The very idea of counsel making light of a juror is illogical and runs directly counter to our purpose and function.”
The defense statement also emphasized that “perceptions and appearances play a central role in this trial” and that “if a single juror were prone to leap to unwarranted conclusions – and potentially impress these erroneous conclusions on their fellow jurors – the ends of justice and the right to a fair trial would be jeopardized.”
Brown and Dudding conveyed their full confidence in Carroccia’s ability to ensure a complete and impartial proceeding given these sensitive case developments.
Background of the Sexual Assault Allegations
Charges and Pleas
The sexual assault allegations under scrutiny involve former NHL players Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote. Each faces charges of sexual assault related to an incident in June 2018. A woman, identified in court documents as E.M., alleges she was sexually assaulted in a London hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala.
- All five men have entered pleas of not guilty.
- Michael McLeod also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of sexual assault as a party to the offense.
Previous Mistrial
This marks the second instance of a jury being dismissed in connection with this case. The first occurred when Carroccia declared a mistrial on April 25, leading to the selection of a new jury and a subsequent retrial.
Trial Continues with Testimony
The trial is scheduled to proceed, focusing on evidence and testimony. Proceedings are set to continue with the testimony of Tyler Steenbergen, a former teammate from the 2018 world junior team who previously testified for the Crown.