Tuesday, February 3, 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

Lawyer for hockey player suggests complainant led his client to bathroom for sex

Lawyer for hockey player suggests complainant led his client to bathroom for sex
A defence lawyer representing one of five hockey players on trial for sexual assault is suggesting the complainant was the one who took the reins during a sexual encounter with his client.

Lawyer for hockey player suggests complainant led his client to bathroom for sex

Business community eyeing new cabinet for signs Carney serious on shifting priorities

Business community eyeing new cabinet for signs Carney serious on shifting priorities
Canada's business community will be watching Tuesday's cabinet shuffle for signs that Prime Minister Mark Carney will be easier to work with than the last Liberal government.

Business community eyeing new cabinet for signs Carney serious on shifting priorities

Eby's bill to speed up B.C. projects risks alienating NDP supporters, expert says

Eby's bill to speed up B.C. projects risks alienating NDP supporters, expert says
A political scientist says B.C. Premier David Eby is "marching the province toward a confrontation" in which Speaker Raj Chouhan will have to cast a deciding vote to push through a bill to speed up certain infrastructure projects. 

Eby's bill to speed up B.C. projects risks alienating NDP supporters, expert says

B.C.'s low snowpack, early-season melt raise drought concern: province

B.C.'s low snowpack, early-season melt raise drought concern: province
British Columbia's latest snowpack and water supply bulletin says drier, warmer weather last month has contributed to an early melt, raising concern for widespread drought this summer.

B.C.'s low snowpack, early-season melt raise drought concern: province

Alberta government announces indefinite freeze on industrial carbon price

Alberta government announces indefinite freeze on industrial carbon price
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is freezing its industrial carbon price effective immediately at $95 per tonne of emissions.

Alberta government announces indefinite freeze on industrial carbon price

Gang member wanted Canada-wide arrested in Vancouver, returned to Ontario

Gang member wanted Canada-wide arrested in Vancouver, returned to Ontario
Police in Vancouver have arrested a man who they say is a member of the Zone 43 gang and was wanted nationwide for drugs and firearms offences.

Gang member wanted Canada-wide arrested in Vancouver, returned to Ontario