Five Canadian hockey players acquitted of sexual assault charges after an eight-week trial, sparking nationwide debate on consent and justice. Image: Nicole Osborne/AP (Left to right: Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Carter Hart)
(The Post News)- An Ontario judge acquitted five Canadian hockey players in a high-profile sexual assault trial that captured national attention.
On Thursday, July 24, Justice Maria Carroccia spent several hours delivering her verdict after an eight-week trial earlier this summer. She found the five players not guilty on all charges.
The accused, former members of Canada’s World Junior hockey team, faced allegations of sexually assaulting a woman identified as EM in a London, Ontario, hotel room during a 2018 Hockey Canada gala event.
According to the court timeline, EM met some of the players at a bar before going with Michael McLeod to a nearby hotel room. Other teammates reportedly joined later for additional sexual encounters.
Under Canadian law, a sexual assault conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that consent was absent. Central to the trial was whether EM, then 20, consented to all sexual activity that night, which is a standard often difficult to meet in cases involving intoxication and conflicting accounts.
Justice Carroccia highlighted inconsistencies in EM’s testimony and contradictions with other evidence. She concluded the Crown did not meet the legal burden of Mbproof required for conviction.
The five accused were Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Carter Hart. At the time, all were professional players, mostly in the NHL, with one playing in Europe.
EM’s lawyer, Karen Bellehumeur, said her client followed the trial online and was deeply disheartened by the judge’s doubts about her credibility.
“When a person summons the courage to share their story, the worst feeling is to be disbelieved,” Bellehumeur said. She also emphasized the emotional toll survivors face when reliving trauma in court and the many barriers within the legal system.
The players’ lawyers argued EM initiated the encounters and consented. EM, however, testified she was intoxicated, felt scared, and consented only to sexual activity with McLeod and not with others who later joined.
The trial attracted widespread public interest. Overflow rooms were opened during Thursday’s hearing to accommodate attendees, some of whom expressed relief when Justice Carroccia questioned EM’s testimony.
In her ruling, the judge noted discrepancies in EM’s account, such as conflicting details about who bought drinks that evening. She described EM’s memory as uncertain and inconsistent with other evidence.
Prosecutor Meaghan Cunningham said the Crown will carefully review the decision before considering an appeal. She noted support for EM has come from across Canada and internationally.
“A successful prosecution is not measured only by guilty verdicts,” Cunningham said. “Our goal was a fair trial that was fair to both the accused and EM.”
Following the verdict, protests supporting EM gathered outside the courthouse. Protester Fabienne Haller told the BBC she was “devastated” by the outcome and believes the case will influence how sexual assault cases are handled in Canada for years to come.
The Crown’s review may lead to an appeal, extending the legal process. Meanwhile, the case has sparked discussions within Hockey Canada and the wider sports community about consent education and safeguarding policies to prevent future incidents.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email:journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
About the Author
