Judge Questions Credibility in Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial

Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the sexual assault charges against five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship team, stating she found the complainant's evidence neither credible nor reliable. The accused players—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote—have all pleaded not guilty, with McLeod facing an additional charge as a party to the offense. The judge emphasized that the Crown could not meet its burden of proof and found that actual consent was present, not vitiated by fear. The case, which has drawn national attention and involved allegations of a group sexual assault in a London, Ontario hotel room, saw the jury dismissed midway through the trial due to concerns over juror perception of bias. Protesters supporting the complainant gathered outside the courthouse, reflecting the high-profile and divisive nature of the proceedings. As of the latest updates, no official final verdict has been handed down, though the judge’s statements strongly suggest acquittal.