Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial Verdict Set July 24

Justice Maria Carroccia is set to announce verdicts on July 24 in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team: Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote. The players are accused of sexually assaulting a woman, known as E.M. due to a publication ban, in a London, Ontario hotel room after a Hockey Canada event in June 2018. The defense maintains the encounter was consensual and has accused the complainant of lying under oath and providing inconsistent accounts, while the prosecution alleges E.M. was sexually assaulted over several hours. McLeod faces an additional charge of aiding the alleged crime. All five have pleaded not guilty, and the verdict follows eight weeks of proceedings and closing arguments. The case has drawn intense public scrutiny of Hockey Canada and its response to sexual misconduct allegations.