Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial Underway for Five Players

The sexual assault trial of five members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Hockey team began in London, Ontario, with prosecutors alleging that the defendants assaulted an intoxicated woman in a hotel room after a team celebration. The case centers on the issue of consent, with the Crown arguing that the complainant did not voluntarily agree to the acts that took place, despite some indications she may have appeared to go along with the group due to intoxication and discomfort. The defendants, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The jury, made up predominantly of women, was instructed by the judge to set aside any biases and focus solely on the facts presented. The case follows a previous police investigation that initially concluded without charges, but renewed scrutiny led to the current trial. The complainant, identified publicly as 'E.M.', is expected to testify about the events and her state during the alleged assault.