New Jury Takes the Stand

In a dramatic turn of events, a new jury has been selected for the retrial of five former junior hockey players embroiled in a serious sexual assault case.

The Accused Players

The players facing these grave allegations are Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote. Each has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

What Led to the Mistrial?

A mistrial was declared on Friday morning, leading to the dismissal of the previous jury, which comprised 11 women and 3 men. The new jury now consists of 14 members—9 women and 5 men. However, details surrounding the mistrial remain shrouded in secrecy due to a publication ban.

Justice Maria Carroccia addressed the court, expressing regret over the necessity of declaring a mistrial, but refrained from divulging specific reasons, citing professional discussions that needed to happen with the lawyers.

The Incident in Question

The allegations stem from an incident that allegedly occurred in a London, Ontario hotel room back in June 2018. The gravity of these charges continues to resonate throughout the hockey community and beyond.

The Road Ahead

Court proceedings are set to resume on Monday, with Carroccia announcing a shortened schedule due to the federal election taking place that day. "We're starting fresh Monday morning," she declared, emphasizing the importance of civic duty.

As this high-stakes case unfolds, all eyes will be on the courtroom, awaiting justice and the truth behind these serious allegations.