At the World Juniors sexual assault trial, the complainant defends her testimony amid tough cross-examination over her word choices and past statements.
Complainant Faces Intense Cross-Examination in Hockey Trial
In a courtroom packed with tension and public scrutiny, the woman at the center of the World Juniors sexual assault trial returned to the stand Thursday, fiercely defending her choice of words and her account of events.
The 27-year-old woman, whose identity is shielded by a publication ban, has now testified for five days against five former junior hockey players accused of sexual assault during a 2018 incident in London, Ontario.
“I Am Saying My Truth”: Pushback Against Defense Challenges
Throughout cross-examination, the complainant — identified in court as E.M. — was pressed hard over the precise language she used in her testimony. Defense lawyer Megan Savard zeroed in on a key moment, pointing out that the phrase “don’t let her leave” only surfaced during cross-examination earlier in the week, while in her original 2018 police statement, E.M. had simply recalled the men saying “don’t leave.”
Savard argued that the new phrasing sounded “more criminal,” but E.M. pushed back, explaining that while the words came out differently, the underlying feeling had been constant since the night of the alleged assault.
“I am saying my truth, my story,” E.M. told the court. “I have no reason to come up with a worse version.”
Memory, Language, and Trauma Under the Microscope
Savard continued to probe for inconsistencies in E.M.’s past statements, pointing to interviews with police and Hockey Canada. E.M. acknowledged difficulty recalling specific moments but said the trauma and exhaustion of repeatedly recounting her experience made details blur over time.
“It was about getting through it,” she said, visibly emotional, “not reliving it.”
Savard challenged the credibility of these explanations, suggesting they were “false,” a claim E.M. firmly denied.
Coping Mechanisms and Power Dynamics in the Room
Under questioning, E.M. agreed she had adopted what she called a “porn star persona” that night as a coping mechanism. Tearfully, she explained she believed this was the only way to manage the situation and avoid escalation, saying she felt pressured to stay and comply, even though the men did not physically restrain her.
Background: A Night That Shook Canadian Hockey
The accused — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote — were all members of Canada’s celebrated 2018 World Juniors team. They were in London for events celebrating their gold-medal victory when the alleged assault occurred.
E.M. had consensual sex with McLeod earlier that night after meeting the group at a downtown bar. What followed in the early hours of June 19, she claims, turned into a non-consensual group encounter.
Next Steps: More Cross-Examinations to Come
After Savard concluded her questioning, Dan Brown, representing Alex Formenton, began his cross-examination — marking the next phase in a trial that has captivated and divided public opinion.
As the trial continues, E.M.’s testimony remains a flashpoint, highlighting not only legal challenges but also the emotional and psychological toll such cases inflict on complainants.
This case has become more than a courtroom battle; it’s a window into the power dynamics, trauma, and scrutiny survivors face when they come forward — and a test of how justice handles the most sensitive allegations.
