Thursday saw the verdict of a case that has drawn attention around the world.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia delivered her decision after reading her ruling in court for several hours which found five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team not guilty in a high-profile sexual assault case. The charges were related to an alleged incident in a London, Ontario hotel room in June 2018 involving Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote. All five men had pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexual assault.
McLeod was also found not guilty of being party to the offence of sexual assault.
Long-time women’s rights advocate Megan Walker, from London had this reaction to the verdict.
She tells myFM the results of this trial do not bode well for women who’ve been abused.
She also told myFM the men’s hockey culture in this country…needs to change.
Despite being acquitted of sexual assault, the five former world junior hockey players are temporarily barred from NHL play. The league says they will remain ineligible as it reviews the judge’s findings.
Written by: L. Dickson/ K. Milhomens