Inconsistencies Emerge in Hockey Canada Rape Trial: Notes from Investigator's Interviews Admitted Inadmissible

Strategic Insights -

A Hockey Canada investigator, Danielle Robitaille, interviewed several accused players in connection with a rape investigation. The notes from these interviews, which include inconsistencies and varying accounts, have been ruled inadmissible as evidence in the trial. The trial continues in London, with the five accused players - Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote - all pleading not guilty. The trial is expected to last several more weeks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The notes from investigator Danielle Robitaille's interviews with the accused players include inconsistencies and varying accounts of the events in question.
  • The trial judge, Justice Maria Carroccia, has ruled that the notes from the interviews are inadmissible as evidence in the trial.
  • Michael McLeod, one of the accused players, has provided different versions of events to the investigator and to police in 2018.
  • Carter Hart and Cal Foote were interviewed by Ms. Robitaille but the notes from those interviews have also been ruled inadmissible.
  • Alex Formenton told the investigator that he saw Dillon Dubé slap E.M. on the backside but initially denied this to police.
  • Formenton also told Ms. Robitaille that he saw Dubé hold a golf club and swing it towards E.M. but denied seeing any contact between Dubé and the club.
  • The investigator's notes also reveal that Mr. Formenton and Mr. Dubé had phone conversations in which Dubé asked Formenton not to mention the golf club.
  • The trial has heard that E.M. exchanged text messages with Michael McLeod after the alleged assault, in which he pressured her to drop the police investigation.

Statistics:

  • 5 accused players - Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote
  • 1 investigator - Danielle Robitaille
  • 214-page document containing notes from investigator's interviews
  • 10 or more drinks - E.M.'s estimated amount of drinking on the night in question
  • 3 Jägerbombs - E.M.'s reported number of drinks before she fell
  • 2 hours - estimated length of time between E.M.'s fall and the alleged assault
  • 5 weeks - duration of the trial so far

Sources:

  • Globe and Mail
  • https://www.theglobeandmail.com/
  • The Canadian Press
  • https://www.thecanadianpress.com/
  • Reuters