Judge gives final instructions to jury in Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2024

HAILEYBURY, Ont. – The judge overseeing the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has begun delivering his final instructions to a northeastern Ontario jury today.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay is laying out the legal principles jurors must apply as they consider the evidence heard in the nearly two-week trial.

Jurors are expected to start deliberating once his instructions are complete.

Hoggard, 40, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault. The charge stems from an incident alleged to have happened on June 25, 2016, in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

Lawyers for the Crown and the defence each made a final pitch to the jury on Thursday.

Both sides agree that a sexual encounter took place in Hoggard’s hotel room after a concert and bonfire after-party, meaning the case has centred on the question of consent.

The complainant and the singer both took the stand during the trial. The woman, whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, was the Crown’s only witness.

The complainant, who was 19 at the time, said Hoggard raped, choked, hit and urinated on her, and called her names like “dirty little piggy.”

Hoggard said they flirted all night, then had a consensual one-night stand.

Defence lawyers for the singer suggested Thursday the woman lied about the nature of the encounter to cover up her infidelity and maintain the support of those around her.

They further argued her account of what happened that night was rife with inconsistencies, with several details changing over time.

Prosecutors argued the woman had no reason to lie, noting there was no evidence the people in her life were aware of the incident, aside from a cousin who accompanied her to the concert.

The Crown disputed some of the alleged inaccuracies in her testimony, including details about the vehicle she rode in on her way to the bonfire.

Prosecutor Peter Keen acknowledged there were some inconsistencies on “peripheral details” of her account but argued she remained “unshaken” on the core elements of her allegations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2024.

Source link

End of Manitoba legislature session includes replacement-worker ban, machete rules

Published

55 mins ago

November 7, 2024

Anne Joseph

WINNIPEG – Manitoba politicians are expected to pass several bills into law before the likely end of legislature session this evening.

The NDP government, with a solid majority of seats, is getting its omnibus budget bill through.

It enacts tax changes outlined in the spring budget, but also includes unrelated items, such as a ban on replacement workers during labour disputes.

The bill would also make it easier for workers to unionize, and would boost rebates for political campaign expenses.

Another bill expected to pass this evening would place new restrictions on the sale of machetes, in an attempt to crack down on crime.

Among the bills that are not expected to pass this session is one making it harder for landlords to raise rents above the inflation rate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024

Source link

Father charged with second-degree murder in infant’s death: police

Published

58 mins ago

November 7, 2024

Anne Joseph

A Richmond Hill, Ont., man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his seven-week-old infant earlier this year.

York Regional Police say they were contacted by the York Children’s Aid Society about a child who had been taken to a hospital in Toronto on Jan. 15.

They say the baby had “significant injuries” that could not be explained by the parents.

The infant died three days later.

Police say the baby’s father, 30, was charged with second-degree murder on Oct. 23.

Anyone with more information on the case is urged to contact investigators.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

Source link

Ontario fast-tracking several bills with little or no debate

Published

1 hour ago

November 7, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.

The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.

It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.

The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.

That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.

Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

Source link