Friday, February 20, 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

BC Place to be fenced off for Taylor Swift shows, with zone limited to ticket holders

BC Place to be fenced off for Taylor Swift shows, with zone limited to ticket holders
Vancouver officials say areas around BC Place stadium will be strictly limited to ticket holders for Taylor Swift's three Eras Tour shows that begin next week, as they announce preparations for what they say will be one of the biggest event weekends in the city's history. Police, city, stadium and transport officials say 160,000 fans have tickets for the shows on Dec. 6, 7 and 8, and up to 40 per cent are international travellers.

BC Place to be fenced off for Taylor Swift shows, with zone limited to ticket holders

Poilievre calls two-month GST break inflationary, says Tories will vote against it

Poilievre calls two-month GST break inflationary, says Tories will vote against it
The two-month measure applies to dozens of items commonly purchased over the holidays, including children's clothes and toys, video games and consoles, Christmas trees, restaurant and catered meals, wine, beer, candy and snacks. Poilievre, a vocal advocate for cutting taxes, said the GST break "isn't a tax cut."

Poilievre calls two-month GST break inflationary, says Tories will vote against it

Canada didn't live up to its values on immigration in recent years, Carney says

Canada didn't live up to its values on immigration in recent years, Carney says
Canada didn't live up to its values on immigration over the last few years as it allowed more people into the country than it could absorb, said former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. Carney, who is a special adviser to the Liberal party, made the comments at an event on Wednesday in Ottawa held by Cardus, a Christian think tank.

Canada didn't live up to its values on immigration in recent years, Carney says

Trump's tariffs would devastate auto sector, raise consumer costs: Industry leaders

Trump's tariffs would devastate auto sector, raise consumer costs: Industry leaders
Auto industry leaders say U.S. president-elect Donald Trump'sthreat of tariffs on Canadian goods would have devastating effects for the sector, forcing both Canadian and U.S. consumers to pay higher vehicle prices.

Trump's tariffs would devastate auto sector, raise consumer costs: Industry leaders

RCMP investigating death of Edmonton man after mixed martial arts fight

RCMP investigating death of Edmonton man after mixed martial arts fight
Mounties in Alberta are investigating the death of a fighter following a mixed martial arts charity event. RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said the man was taken to hospital after he fought Saturday at a community centre in Enoch Cree First Nation west of Edmonton. Parkland RCMP received a report of the man's death on Monday morning, he said.

RCMP investigating death of Edmonton man after mixed martial arts fight

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill
The Liberal government introduced a stand-alone bill to implement its proposed GST holiday Wednesday, hours after the NDP threatened it would not pass the legislation if it was linked to a $250 rebate for working Canadians.

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill