Complainant's evidence in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial not 'credible or reliable,' judge says

[EllieBC]

So if you live in Canada or you’re a hockey fan, you might have been following this case. As someone who lives in Canada and is a hockey fan (and has a kid who plays hockey) I’m not surprised by any of it (the circumstances, the crime, the joke of an initial investigation, the trial, the results) but the decision is rolling in now:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/livestory/complainants-evidence-in-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-not-credible-or-reliable-judge-says-9.6842381

The Latest

Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia is delivering her decisions in the London sexual assault trial of five former players with Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team.

Carroccia says she didn’t find the complainant’s evidence to be “credible or reliable,” and said the Crown did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The justice is going over the evidence heard at trial in detail, pointing out inconsistencies between E.M.'s evidence this year and her civil lawsuit in 2022.

The accused — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote — had all pleaded not guilty.

The complainant, E.M., whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, testified over nine days during the trial
WARNING: Court proceedings include details of alleged sexual assault and might affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. If anyone *ever* wonders why people don't "speak up" about being assaulted, this case is a master class on why.

[EllieBC]

2. Exactly. I didn't have a whole lot of hope because.

1) it is completely normal up here to hear that police are warning people that a dangerous offender is being released after a year or less in jail, 2) this case was completely bungled and hamstrung by the start by both the London Police Department and hockey Canada, and 3) I don’t think the crown had all of their ducks in a row one bit.

But yes, this is exactly why victims don’t come forward.

[EdmondDantes_]

3. Honestly given the statistics on convictions

And the way victims are shamed, I more wonder why any come forward. I admire the strength of any survivor who is willing to brave that in an attempt to get some measure of justice.