Sunday, February 1, 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

Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike

Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike
Canada's steel industry needs the federal government to take swift action as it faces an existential threat from steeply increased U.S. tariff, said Catherine Cobden, head of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike

Carney names former UN ambassador Blanchard as chief of staff

Carney names former UN ambassador Blanchard as chief of staff
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his permanent chief of staff on Sunday, appointing Marc-André Blanchard, Canada's former ambassador to the United Nations, to one of the most powerful posts in Canadian politics. 

Carney names former UN ambassador Blanchard as chief of staff

Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers

Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers
British Columbia is marking the start of this year's Filipino Heritage Month with a sombre tribute to the victims of April's deadly attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival.

Sombre start to Filipino Heritage Month in B.C. as festival attack's shadow lingers

Eby heads to Asia on trade mission as Indigenous leader pulls out due to Bills 14, 15

Eby heads to Asia on trade mission as Indigenous leader pulls out due to Bills 14, 15
British Columbia Premier David Eby said Saturday that he is confident that recent Indigenous opposition to certain fast-tracking laws will not affect the province's ability to attract investment from Asian trade partners.

Eby heads to Asia on trade mission as Indigenous leader pulls out due to Bills 14, 15

Canada Post rejects union's request for binding arbitration to end labour dispute

Canada Post rejects union's request for binding arbitration to end labour dispute
Canada Post has rejected a request from the union representing about 55,000 of its workers to send their ongoing labour dispute to binding arbitration.

Canada Post rejects union's request for binding arbitration to end labour dispute

Carney discusses "partnerships" with oil and gas executives in Calgary

Carney discusses
Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down with oil and gas executives in Calgary Sunday to discuss partnerships and to get their input for his plans to make Canada an energy superpower.

Carney discusses "partnerships" with oil and gas executives in Calgary