The man, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, has chosen a trial from a judge and jurors. A seven-day trial is scheduled to begin on May 29, 2023. According to the indictment, he allegedly sexually assaulted and sexually assaulted a girl under the age of 14 in 2002. Previously released court documents obtained by CBC News show that the girl was 12 years old at the time and that the alleged attack took place in her mother’s car outside the defendant’s law office. She allegedly sexually assaulted her six years later when she was a teenager. He faces two other charges of sexual assault stemming from incidents in 2012 and 2013, in which the same woman is involved. He has pleaded not guilty.
The ban remains in force
In late March, Supreme Court Justice James Adams extended the publication ban that protects the accused’s name from being reported in connection with these criminal proceedings, pending a review by Canada’s Supreme Court. Posting bans are common in cases of sexual assault, but to protect the identity of an alleged victim and not the accused. CBC News and CTV News have successfully argued that the ban would interfere with the principle of open court and freedom of the press. Adams sided with the media. “Justice administered in secret is contrary to the tenets of a democratic society,” Adams wrote in his ruling at the time. The judge noted that the lawyer was asking the court “to make a significant change in the law”. The lawyer had argued that revealing his identity would deprive him of his presumption of innocence, negatively affect his reputation and undermine his dignity. Following Adams’ decision, he successfully argued that the ban should remain in place until he seeks permission to refer the matter to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to hear the case. Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
