Technical glitches hamper evidence presentation in hockey sexual assault case

The trial continues for five former Canadian world junior hockey players accused of sexual assault. CTV London's Nick Paparella reports.

Plagued by technical issues, little progress was made Tuesday in the sexual assault trial of five former Team Canada World Junior hockey players.

In the brief time that the Crown was able to show evidence, the jury saw more surveillance video as well as cell phone video showing a number of players from the 2018 gold medal team, as well as the complainant, known as E.M.

The videos, most of which do not have sound, show current Vegas Golden Knights centre Brett Howden approaching E.M. and talking with her inside Jack’s Bar between 11:40 p.m. and midnight. A few minutes later, Howden and McLeod are both shown talking with E.M.

A number of videos showed McLeod with E.M.

One brief video, obtained from current Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson’s cellphone, shows Batherson, Howden, Foote, Cale Makar and Jake Bean together on the dance floor under a strobe light as The Killers’ song Mr. Brightside plays loudly.

After extended breaks and an extra long lunch break, Justice Maria Carroccia brought the jury back into the courtroom to tell them they were free to go and, “We will start fresh tomorrow.”

Day 1: Video of ex-junior hockey players at London bar shown during sexual assault trial; court adjourn for day

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 the city in 2018.

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

Jurors heard the detailed allegations against the players for the first time Monday as the Crown made its opening submissions.

Prosecutor Heather Donkers told the court the case is not about what jurors believe they would do — or what they think someone should do — in that situation, but rather whether the complainant voluntarily consented to each sexual act at the time it happened.

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: [phone]

24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone]

Trans Lifeline: [phone]

Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: [phone]

Read about your rights as a victim here.

— With files from TSN’s Rick Westhead