Judge Acquits Five Canada 2018 Junior Hockey Players Sexual Assault Charges

A judge found five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote—not guilty of sexual assault, ruling that the accuser’s evidence was not credible or reliable. The case involved allegations that the assault occurred in 2018 at a hotel room in London, Ontario. The ruling followed a mistrial and dismissal of the jury, with Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia concluding the Crown could not meet its burden of proof. All defendants had pleaded not guilty and were acquitted on all charges. The Crown attorneys have publicly reacted to the verdict. This case is linked to previous lawsuits against Hockey Canada related to sexual assault claims involving its world junior team.