July 24,2025
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia has acquitted all five players charged in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote had all pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged incident in a London, Ontario hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018. The judge ruled that the Crown failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in no convictions for any of the five accused. All five were members of Canada’s world junior hockey team.
The complainant, identified as E.M., had stated that she was heavily intoxicated on the night of the alleged assault. However, Justice Carroccia noted that video footage from Jack’s Bar did not show any clear signs of impairment.
According to the judge, E.M. appeared to exaggerate her level of intoxication that evening. Parts of her testimony were contradicted by video evidence. For instance, E.M. claimed she felt isolated at the bar and had tried to leave unnoticed but was followed. However, surveillance footage showed her having a lengthy conversation with a bouncer she described as a friend.
E.M. also testified that she was completely disoriented upon arriving at the hotel. Yet, video evidence showed her exiting a taxi, checking her phone, and walking up the stairs without any apparent difficulty.
Loading ...
