Thursday, February 19, 2026
ADVT 
National

Defence lawyers continue submissions at hockey players' sex assault trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Jun, 2025 11:30 AM
  • Defence lawyers continue submissions at hockey players' sex assault trial

Defence lawyers for five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team are continuing to hammer at the credibility of the complainant as they make final submissions at the players' sexual assault trial.

A lawyer representing Alex Formenton is arguing that video evidence from the bar where the woman first encountered several of the players contradicts her testimony that she was plied with alcohol and separated from her friends, and that she was extremely intoxicated.

Daniel Brown has repeatedly argued the woman lied or embellished in her testimony, and that her account of what happened evolved over time.

Court heard submissions Monday from lawyers representing Michael McLeod and Carter Hart. 

McLeod's lawyer, David Humphrey, argued the complainant has presented an "entirely unbelievable and unreliable" version of the events at the heart of the trial.

McLeod, Hart, Formenton and their former teammates Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The charges relate to an encounter with a woman in a London, Ont., hotel room in June 2018, at a time when many of the team's members were in town for events celebrating their championship win.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada's top court dismisses appeal in Ontario drug trafficking case

Canada's top court dismisses appeal in Ontario drug trafficking case
Canada's highest court has dismissed the appeal of a Guelph, Ont., man convicted of drug trafficking after police impersonated a drug dealer in order to arrest him. Dwayne Alexander Campbell argued police violated his Charter right to be free from unreasonable search or seizure in his 2017 arrest.

Canada's top court dismisses appeal in Ontario drug trafficking case

Conservatives intervene to delay debate on NDP motion in House of Commons

Conservatives intervene to delay debate on NDP motion in House of Commons
The Conservatives are stalling an NDP opposition day motion in the House of Commons, after the New Democrats intervened in the Tories' opposition day on Thursday. The NDP was set to begin debate on a motion calling on the government to expand the GST break to cover what they call essentials.

Conservatives intervene to delay debate on NDP motion in House of Commons

Canada's housing crisis leads to more unsafe housing for victims of domestic violence

Canada's housing crisis leads to more unsafe housing for victims of domestic violence
A study released last week by Women’s Shelters Canada says the country’s housing crisis is preventing many people from finding affordable and safe housing after leaving their abuser. Of the 381 shelters and transition houses that responded, 94 per cent of emergency shelters and 83 per cent of transition homes said victims were staying longer than they had in the past while searching for housing.

Canada's housing crisis leads to more unsafe housing for victims of domestic violence

Canada Post strike enters fourth week

Canada Post strike enters fourth week
Canada Post and the union representing more than 55,000 striking workers appeared closer to resuming negotiations as the strike entered its fourth week.  Federal mediation was put on hold last week due to the sides being too far apart.

Canada Post strike enters fourth week

Jobless rate reaches 6.8% in November, highest since January 2017 outside of pandemic

Jobless rate reaches 6.8% in November, highest since January 2017 outside of pandemic
Statistics Canada’s November labour force survey says the jobless rate last month reached the highest since January 2017, outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate was 6.5 per cent in October. Meanwhile, the economy added 51,000 jobs in November, with employment gains concentrated in full-time work and the public sector.

Jobless rate reaches 6.8% in November, highest since January 2017 outside of pandemic

B.C. children's minister stepping away from role after colorectal cancer diagnosis

B.C. children's minister stepping away from role after colorectal cancer diagnosis
British Columbia's Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore says she has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and is temporarily stepping away from her role as minister. Lore said in a statement that she intends to participate in important votes in the legislature to ensure the stability of the NDP government, which holds a slim majority of one vote.

B.C. children's minister stepping away from role after colorectal cancer diagnosis