Former members of Canada's 2018 World Juniors hockey team, left to right, Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube and Carter Hart as they individually arrived to court in London, Ont., in April.Nicole Osborne/The Canadian Press
Three years since allegations first surfaced that former Canada world junior hockey players sexually assaulted a woman in a London, Ont., hotel in 2018, the Crown and defence are presenting closing arguments this week.
But the high-profile proceedings against Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé and Alex Formenton, who have all pleaded not guilty, have raised questions beyond what Justice Maria Carroccia’s verdict will be on July 24.
Disruptions, including a mistrial and two dismissed juries, plagued the trial since it began in late April. Then days of intense questioning of the complainant, E.M., by defence lawyers and excluded evidence prompted concerns from some observers about how Canada’s justice system treats sexual-assault allegations.
A timeline of key moments in the Hockey Canada trial
Globe and Mail reporters Robyn Doolittle and Colin Freeze have been in court in London covering every day of the trial, and they want to know what questions you have about the proceedings and how we report on it.
Why were two juries dismissed? What has the atmosphere been like in the court room? What does this trial mean for the reckoning it prompted in Canada’s beloved game? How could the proceedings – and the verdict – affect victims of sexual violence in this country?
Send us your questions using the form below, or by emailing audience@globeandmail.com with “Hockey Canada” in the subject line. The Globe’s standards editor Sandra E. Martin has also already helped answer some in this video.
Send us your questions about the Hockey Canada trial
The weeks-long trial of five former Canada world junior hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a London, Ont., hotel in 2018 is nearly done, but the high-profile proceedings have raised many questions beyond what the judge's verdict will be. A mistrial and two dismissed juries made their own headlines, while emotional testimony from the complainant, E.M., and excluded evidence have prompted scrutiny of how Canada's beloved game and the justice system treats sexual-assault allegations.
Globe reporters have been in court every day reporting on the trial, and we want to hear your questions about the case. Submit your questions via the form below or send us an email at audience@globeandmail.com with "Hockey Canada" in the subject line.