The high-profile sexual assault trial of five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team is proceeding by judge alone in London, Ontario, with closing submissions set to begin. The players, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged non-consensual group sex incident in June 2018. The trial has focused on the question of consent, with the complainant, E.M., testifying she was drunk and taken advantage of, while defence lawyers suggested she was not as drunk and had a "clear agenda."
World junior trial will generate ‘big conversations’ for years as closing submissions begin
Hockey canadaCrimeSexual AssaultWorld JuniorsHockey CanadaSexual assaultWorld juniors
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The high-profile sexual assault trial of five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team is proceeding by judge alone in London, Ontario, with closing submissions set to begin. The players, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged non-consensual group sex incident in June 2018. The trial has focused on the question of consent, with the complainant, E.M., testifying she was drunk and taken advantage of, while defence lawyers suggested she was not as drunk and had a "clear agenda."
Trending- 1 June 18-19, 2018: Alleged sexual assault incident occurred in London.
- 2 Late April (2025): The trial began.
- 3 Last Monday (before June 9, 2025): Defence lawyers rested their cases, and the trial was adjourned.
- 4 Monday (June 9, 2025): Closing submissions are set to begin.
- High-profile trial generating "big conversations" about consent
- Focus on the need for a more victim-centred approach in the justice system
- Potential legal outcomes for the accused players
What: Sexual assault trial of five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team; closing submissions are set to begin.
When: Closing submissions will begin Monday (June 9, 2025); trial began in late April; alleged incident occurred in June 2018 (June 18-19).
Where: London, Ontario, Canada.
Why: Crown alleges non-consensual group sex with a 20-year-old woman; defence lawyers suggest the complainant was not as drunk as she testified and had a "clear agenda."
How: The alleged incident occurred in Michael McLeod’s London hotel room after meeting at a downtown bar; the Crown alleges several sexual acts took place without E.M.’s consent after she came out of the washroom to a group of men in the room.