Testimony Reveals Details of Sexual Assault Case in the Canadian Hockey Team
In the trial involving five members of the 2018 Canadian hockey team, the alleged victim offered a harrowing testimony about the events that occurred seven years ago in a hotel in London, Ontario.
The woman, who accuses the players of sexual assault, recounted that she felt vulnerable and frightened when the men unexpectedly burst into her room. According to her statement, she was naked and under the influence of alcohol, which led her to feel that the only “safe” option was to accede to their demands.
The witness explained that, after having sexual relations with Michael McLeod, one of the accused, two other men arrived at the room, followed by two more. She described how the men seemed to make fun of her while discussing sexual acts they wanted her to perform.
My mind just went blank.
Witness
The accused, McLeod, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton, were charged last year for the incident that allegedly took place in June 2018, during a Hockey Canada gala celebrating their championship in that year’s World Junior tournament. McLeod faces an additional charge of being an accessory to sexual assault. All have pleaded not guilty and are currently not on the NHL roster nor do they have an active contract with any team in the league.
The woman detailed how the men lowered their pants, asking her to perform oral sex, she felt blows to her buttocks and witnessed one of them do the split right over her face while she lay on the sheet.
It felt degrading. Everything was just a joke to them.
Witness
Furthermore, the witness recounted that one of the men followed her to the bathroom, put on a condom, and they had sexual intercourse, which she perceived as a continuation of what had been happening and as if she had no control over the situation.
The woman stated that she cried and tried to leave at several points during the night, but each time someone convinced her to stay.
They kept bringing me back.
Witness
According to his testimony, only after leaving the room did his mind seem to return to his body, and all the emotions he had been blocking flooded him.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia told the jury that it could use the evidence related to the initial encounter with McLeod to assess the credibility of the plaintiff’s testimony about her “interest and level of participation” in what happened later, her ability to choose which activities to engage in, and her level of intoxication.
The judge specifically emphasized that the jury should not infer that, if the woman voluntarily left a bar with McLeod and had consensual sexual relations with him, it is more likely that she consented to the sexual activity that led to the charges against the five players or that she is less worthy of belief.
