Jennifer Dunn, executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre, outside London’s Ontario Superior Court, where five members of the winning 2018 world junior hockey team are on trial for sexual assault.Robyn Doolittle/The Globe and Mail
The five men accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room after a Hockey Canada gala in 2018 arrived at the London, Ont., court this morning to a chorus of chants from protestors.
About 20 women gathered outside the courthouse Monday holding signs that showed support for E.M., the complainant in the case who will resume her testimony this morning. Her name is protected under a publication ban.
Jennifer Dunn, the executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre, said they plan to attend all week.
“I think the most important thing, really, is that E.M. knows that we are here and that we are supporting her,” she said. “Also, we want survivors everywhere to know that they are not alone.”
As each of the five accused arrived, the group broke into loud chants decrying their alleged conduct.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote are accused of sexually assaulting a woman, known publicly as E.M., in a hotel room in downtown London after a Hockey Canada gala in June, 2018. Mr. McLeod faces a second charge of being a party to sexual assault.
Each of the players has pleaded not guilty.
Last Friday, E.M. testified in court for the first time via a closed circuit room. While in the witness box, the Crown attorney had her watch security-camera footage of herself from the night of the alleged offence. The videos were taken at a bar in London called Jack’s, which is where she encountered some of the accused.
The now 27-year-old told the court she consumed more than 10 alcoholic drinks, some of which were purchased by hockey players. She spent much of the night dancing with Mr. McLeod. She and Mr. McLeod left the bar together and had consensual sex at a nearby hotel, but afterwards, the court has heard Mr. McLeod began inviting his teammates to the room.
The protest was raised at the beginning of the day’s proceedings.
Justice Maria Carroccia told the jurors that she was going to make arrangements for them to use a different door to enter the courthouse. (The protest was organized around the front entrance.)
“And I do wish to remind you that people are entitled to their opinions… but you should disregard that absolutely. That has nothing to do with the job you have to do here,” she said. “You have to decide this case based solely on the evidence heard in this courtroom and based on my instructions.”