Content advisory: This article includes graphic language and details of alleged sexual assault Week four in the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players was full of legal arguments and an emotional witness. Because of the May long weekend, the trial resumed Tuesday morning Tyler Steenbergen, a former teammate of the five accused, finished his testimony. While being re-examined by the prosecution, among may other things, he told the court in London, Ont., that the complainant, known as E.M., “seemed into it.” Steenbergen is not accused of any wrongdoing. The next person to take the stand was former teammate and current Vegas Golden Knight, Brett Howden. Howden. who is also not accused of ay wrongdoing, broke down crying when defence attorney Lisa Carnelos asked about when he first found out there was a Hockey Canada investigation into events at the Delta hotel in London, Ont., on June 29, 2018. After a day of Howden’s testimony, Crown Attorney Meaghan Cunningham told the court she wanted to question him about “inconsistencies” in his testimony, saying, “There are a number of areas that I wish to explore as part of this application. I think we are upwards of 15 [inconsistencies] at this point.” Cunningham also wanted to admit 2018 text messages into evidence she argued was Howden’s truth, since he said on the stand he couldn’t remember. The Crown’s application was not granted, so a second application was filed to have the text messages entered into evidence through the principled exception to hearsay. Justice Maria Carroccia is expected to give her decision on that Monday morning. Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an encounter at a hotel room in London, Ont., in 2018. If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis: If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911. A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found on the website for Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada. Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found here. National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419 24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808 Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366 Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648 Read about your rights as a victim here.
