Hart, McLeod, Dube, Foote, Formenton found not guilty of sexual assault

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The walking in high heels business was contesting EM’s statement that she was too intoxicated to remember much of what happened that evening. The video footage of EM buying her own drinks and approaching the players was to contest her statements that they aggressively approached her and bought her the drinks.

These facts weren’t introduced as slut-shaming or to prove consent, but to challenge the credibility of EM’s statements and testimony.

If you read the full ruling (CTV has posted it), the judge ultimately ruled that EM’s credibility was undermined by the inconsistencies in her statements at different times, gaps in her memory, the frequency with which she referred to ‘her truth’*, and witness testimony and video evidence that challenged the version of events she offered.

* The Crown should be counselling witnesses to steer clear of that term. It reflects a sentiment around truth that’s common in some circles, but is unlikely to be persuasive with a judge in a court of law.

After reading the totality of evidence there is no way the verdict could have gone any other way than the way it did.

[Coach]

Tough to summarize my feelings on this without writing an essay.

I think that according to what was presented in the case, the right judgement was made.

I think the prosecutors did a poor job digging into the men and their motives/history the same way the defence dug into EM. Not sure why it wouldn't be relevant if any of the men had been involved in this sort of sexual activity before, seeing as how they were trying to play it off like it was just some regular ol' 8-on-1 group sex.

There was weird decisions like keeping out the text chain.

I believe that as soon as more than one other person entered the room (IE I believe she asked or at least hinted for another player to join, but certainly was not expecting or wanting a full group of men to show up), it became coercive and potentially dangerous for EM, and however she decided to to get out of that, even if it was going along with the scenario, was all done to protect herself.

Don't really believe anything the guys said and think they are all very gross people, including those that chowed on pizza in the corner like creeps while it all went down.

I still think they are not guilty by the evidence presented. I still hope none of them ever plays an NHL game. I hope none of them are ever in positions of authority over young people. I certainly hope none of them sees ice for the Flames. I would very much like to never hear of any of them again.

[Goriders]

I bet one or two of them get back into the NHL after a cooling off period.

I also bet all of them play pro hockey in other leagues.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I bet one or two of them get back into the NHL after a cooling off period.

I also bet all of them play pro hockey in other leagues.

Dont disagree they'll probably find pro hockey work somewhere.

I don't know that any of them are good enough at the game to warrant the sort of bad publicity that would come with joining an NHL team. Whatever that says about the mindset, I don't know. If it were a few 100pt players, I'd 100% agree.

But the NHL continuously pushes me away as a fan, so who knows.

[dammage79]

Feels like this was the predetermined outcome regardless.

Just a dog and pony show putting hockey cultures ....dark side in the spotlight.

Just hope it leads to some real course correction by hockey Canada and all major junior and senior leagues. Make the organizations more liable for the upbringing of these boys while they're developing through their systems.

Because there is only souch Billets and parents can do while they're away from homes and at the rinks or on the road for extended periods of time. These kids definitely need stronger moral guidance and oversight through their teens.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Coach

Dont disagree they'll probably find pro hockey work somewhere.

I don't know that any of them are good enough at the game to warrant the sort of bad publicity that would come with joining an NHL team. Whatever that says about the mindset, I don't know. If it were a few 100pt players, I'd 100% agree.

But the NHL continuously pushes me away as a fan, so who knows.

The only one discussed as a serious NHler now is Hart. Who is very overrated.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The only one discussed as a serious NHler now is Hart. Who is very overrated.

it would take its toll the thought of going to jail?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Andrew

it would take its toll the thought of going to jail?

More the fact he hasn't played for two years. And was only a mid goalie when he was playing.

[midniteowl]

My question:


Has Oilers sign Hart yet?

[fotze2]

He did have some cache for a while though (Cahtah Haht) and that seems to go on far too long.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by fotze2

He did have some cache for a while though (Cahtah Haht) and that seems to go on far too long.

He had a good season and a decent (two round) PO a few years ago. But aside from that he's been barely above or below .900 in his career. And now he's got two years of rust. Hasn't even played in Europe (like Dube) I think.

[blankall]

Don't like Hart, but he was at least an average starter, which is hard to come by these days. He put up okay numbers on crappy Flyers teams. IMO, he lost a fairly major contract that was likely coming his way due to this trial (or I guess his own actions that led to the trial).

[Knut]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

My question:


Has Oilers sign Hart yet?

League has not yet cleared these players to sign. I am sure the contract is sitting in Docusign waiting for a ruling

[troutman]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

My question:


Has Oilers sign Hart yet?

Will fans throw sex toys on the ice, like at WNBA games?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by troutman

Will fans throw sex toys on the ice, like at WNBA games?

Truck nuts.

[TheIronMaiden]

Fans will celebrate Hart's signing my doing splits on his face, apparently a hilarious party trick.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Fans will celebrate Hart's signing my doing splits on his face, apparently a hilarious party trick.

Make sure you get consent first before you do the splits on his face.

[GullFoss]

As the trial was unfolding, I came to the conclusion that the judge would probably find that the victim consented into doing something she didn't really want to do, even in the moment. The victim clearly felt coerced given her almost immediate breakdown after the ordeal was over, but it's unclear within a reasonable doubt the players actually coerced her. She put out signals that suggested she was into it, which leaves room for the players to say "we didn't coerce her, she put out signals suggesting she wanted group sex and she never put out signals telling us to stop."

Walking properly in high heels and buying your own drinks suggest the woman was into Michael McLeod and was sober enough to consent to bang him. It also suggests that during that time of the night, the gang rape wasn't premeditated on behalf of the players - they're weren't trying to find a girl to get drunk and gang rape. And that the girl was sober enough to oppose the group sex.

If you go back to the texts between the girl and McLeod, she clearly says she was happy to bang him, but it was the group stuff that came afterwards that she wasn't happy with. So I don't buy the idea that she's trying to bring honor on her relationship by crying rape...she openly admitted she wanted to cheat on her boyfriend with McLeod (and did).

It's possible to believe the victim was raped, the judge made the right decision and the players should never be in the NHL again.