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.