Opening statements set to begin in sexual assault trial of 5 former world junior hockey players | CBC

Crown to lay out its case

I’m Karen Pauls, a national news reporter based in Manitoba, but I’m in London, Ont., for the trial of five former Team Canada world junior hockey players charged with sexual assault. I’ve been covering this story for several years and I’m a hockey mom too.

The lineups start early to get into the courthouse. Everyone has to enter and go through security here, including the players, their supporters and legal teams.

Once prominent on the ice, now they’re in the public eye for another reason.

Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote and Carter Hart have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault of a woman referred to as E.M. in court documents. McLeod faces a second sexual assault charge as a party to the offence.

We’re expecting to hear the Crown lay out its case against them this morning, and there may be time for a witness or two on the stand today.