5 NHL players face sexual assault charges following the emergence of new evidence
OAN’s Abril Elfi
4:24 PM – Monday, February 5, 2024
Four current NHL players and one former player have been charged with sexual assault in connection to a 2018 incident.
London, Ontario, Police Chief Thai Truong announced the chargers against netminder Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and former NHL player Alex Formenton at a press conference on Monday.
Troung stated that on June 18th, 2018, after a Hockey Canada event, the victim met “the accused and several teammates” at a bar in downtown London. Afterwards, the victim was given access to a hotel room where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The initial investigation was closed in February 2019 after investigators concluded there were “insufficient grounds to lay a charge,” according to Troung.
“I want to extend on behalf of the London Police Service my sincerest apology to the victim, to her family for the amount of time that it has taken to reach this point,” he added, before answering questions from the media. “As a police officer working in this space, for many, many years, I can tell you that this is a difficult, difficult situation for all victims and survivors of sexual violence.”
There were several concerns raised by law enforcement regarding the preliminary investigation’s methodology and the duration of time that it took to file charges.
Troung apologized to the victim for the length of time that the investigation took after he was questioned by reporters if there was a mistake in the initial probe.
“I’m apologizing to the victim and to her family because it’s taken this long. This should not take this long. It shouldn’t take years and years for us to arrive to the outcome of today. All victims of sexual violence in many forms, they should not have to wait this long,” he said.
“We are moving forward as a police service, just like all police services, to try and make sure that we investigate sexual violence better and better each and every day,” he later added. “And I can tell you that our commitment remains strong and will continue every day. We will strive to be better and better. And we should.”
Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann claimed that law enforcement received a call from someone related to the victim the following morning on June 19th, 2018, “seeking advice regarding a sexual assault,” which is what led to the original investigation.
Dann later stated that the case, which she was assigned to lead, was “elected to review” by the London police in July 2022.
New information from that review ultimately led to the charges last week.
“I would like to make it clear that the victim in this matter has fully participated in this investigation from the time it was initially reported to police until today,” Dann said. “When the case was reopened in 2022, our team explored investigative opportunities, in addition to the 2018 investigation. Those leads were followed. Additional witnesses were spoken to and we collected more evidence.”
“I can confirm that some of this evidence was not available when the investigation concluded in 2019,” she added. “This is one investigation, not two. The evidence that was collected in 2018 and 2019 was used in combination with newly gathered evidence to form reasonable and probable grounds to charge these five individuals with sexual assault.”
The four NHL players have given their respective teams an indefinite leave of absence, and all five defendants’ attorneys have refuted any misconduct on their clients’ behalf. On Monday morning, attorneys for the players appeared virtually in a London, Ontario, courtroom.
The next court date has been set for April 30th.
In addition, the judge issued an order prohibiting any of the parties from disclosing personally identifiable information about the accuser or important witnesses in public.
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What measures have been taken to protect the privacy of the accuser and other critical witnesses during the upcoming trial
Title: NHL Players Charged with Sexual Assault in Connection to 2018 Incident
Introduction:
In a shocking turn of events, four current NHL players and one former player have recently been charged with sexual assault in connection to a 2018 incident. The London, Ontario, Police Chief, Thai Truong, made the announcement at a press conference on Monday, holding a prominent position in the ongoing investigation.
Delayed Justice:
London, Ontario, Police Chief Thai Truong expressed his sincerest apologies to the victim and her family for the lengthy delay in reaching this stage of the investigation. Truong acknowledged the difficult situation faced by all victims and survivors of sexual violence, emphasizing the need for police services to improve their handling of such cases.
Initial Investigation Concerns:
Law enforcement had raised several concerns regarding the initial investigation’s methodology and the significant amount of time it took to file charges. Truong admitted that there were mistakes made during the preliminary probe but assured the public that the police force is committed to rectifying these issues and improving their response to sexual violence cases.
The Victim’s Participation and New Evidence:
Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann revealed that law enforcement received a call from someone connected to the victim seeking advice on a sexual assault the morning after the incident in question. Consequently, the London police elected to review the case in 2022. Dann clarified that the victim had fully participated in the investigation from its initial reporting to the present day, providing valuable insights and supporting evidence.
Combining Previous and Newly Gathered Evidence:
Dann further confirmed that the evidence collected in 2018 and 2019 was used in conjunction with newly acquired evidence to establish reasonable and probable grounds for charging the five individuals with sexual assault. This revelation illustrates the investigative team’s commitment to thoroughly reviewing the case and diligently pursuing justice.
Response from the Defendants:
Following the charges, the four NHL players implicated in the case have taken an indefinite leave of absence from their respective teams. Additionally, attorneys representing all five defendants have vehemently refuted any allegations of misconduct on their clients’ behalf. These arguments will be presented in court during the upcoming trial.
The Way Forward:
A court date has been set for April 30th, during which the proceedings will begin in an Ontario courtroom. The judge has also issued an order prohibiting the disclosure of personally identifiable information about the accuser or critical witnesses, ensuring the protection of their privacy throughout the legal process.
Conclusion:
This disturbing and highly publicized case involving NHL players charged with sexual assault underscores the complexities surrounding sexual violence cases. The delayed investigation and subsequent filing of charges have prompted calls for police departments to improve their handling of such offenses. As the legal proceedings unfold, society must ensure that justice is served, offering support and protection to victims of sexual violence. The upcoming trial will be instrumental in setting a precedent for the proper adjudication of such grave offenses in the future.
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