Jury dismissed in sexual assault trial involving Hockey Canada and player Carter Hart.

The ongoing trial related to a sexual assault case involving Hockey Canada underwent a significant development on Friday, as Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia dismissed the jury, transferring the responsibility of adjudication solely to herself. This decision, which comes amidst concerns regarding the jurors’ ability to remain impartial, marks a notable shift in the proceedings based in London, Ontario.

The decision to dismiss the jury followed a complaint from one juror, who submitted a note to the judge, claiming that defense counsel had acted unprofessionally towards the jurors. This incident raised alarms as it echoed a prior occurrence three weeks earlier when a jury-related issue prompted a mistrial on April 24, leading to a complete re-selection of the jury. The specific grounds for that mistrial were initially restricted from public disclosure due to a court-ordered publication ban, which was lifted on Friday, allowing the public insight into the ongoing legal saga.

Details of the juror’s complaint revealed that several members of the jury felt they were the subject of ridicule from the defense team, specifically from lawyers Daniel Brown and Hilary Dudding, who represent Alex Formenton, one of five players charged in the case. The juror indicated that there were multiple instances of the defense team making disparaging remarks and gestures toward jurors, describing the behavior as both unprofessional and inappropriate.

The case involves allegations stemming from a reported incident in June 2018, where a woman accuses eight members of the Canadian national junior hockey team of sexually assaulting her in a London hotel room after meeting them at a local bar. Five players from this team, including former Flyers goalie Carter Hart, are facing charges of sexual assault. Alongside Hart, the other defendants include Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Formenton, and Michael McLeod, all of whom have pleaded not guilty. Notably, McLeod faces an additional count of aiding in the commission of the offense.

Following the allegations, both the London Police and Hockey Canada initiated investigations in June 2018. The police investigation concluded in February 2019, while Hockey Canada’s own inquiry wrapped up the following year. In April 2022, the woman filed a civil lawsuit against Hockey Canada and the accused players, seeking .55 million in damages, a claim that was settled one month later for an undisclosed amount.

The prosecution’s concerns about the jurors’ ability to remain objective were evident, leading to Justice Carroccia’s ruling to continue the trial without a jury. The ongoing proceedings include testimony from the woman, who completed her statement after nine days on the witness stand. During the trial, a fellow player testified regarding the events of the night in question, which the woman alleges occurred without her consent.

As the trial continues under the sole direction of Justice Carroccia, its outcome will be determined by her assessment of the evidence presented. This case has garnered significant media attention, reflecting broader concerns about accountability and conduct within high-profile sports organizations.

Moving forward, the trial’s developments will undoubtedly remain under scrutiny as the judicial process unfolds.

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