Hockey Canada Trial: McLeod Describes “Weird Situation” in 2018 Incident

Michael McLeod’s recent testimony in the Hockey Canada trial revealed complexities surrounding a 2018 hotel incident with a woman who alleged sexual assault. This trial, reopened amid public pressure, focuses on consent and player dynamics. Several players, including McLeod, face not guilty pleas, as allegations reveal intricate, troubling details about the night’s events.

In an unsettling testimony during the ongoing Hockey Canada trial, player Michael McLeod described a 2018 police interview recalling a bizarre situation where a woman sought sexual attention in his hotel room. McLeod emphasized his efforts to ensure her comfort and obtain consent, noting he filmed her agreeing to the activities. The interviews were part of a reopened investigation that sprang back to life due to renewed media spotlight in 2022.

Video footage from McLeod’s police interview is pivotal in the trial. He recounted trying to navigate what he termed a “weird situation” as multiple teammates entered the room after he and the complainant had caressed. The woman, who has remained unidentified under a publication ban, testified she felt zoned out, operating on “autopilot” while surrounded by several new men after her initial consensual encounter with McLeod.

The trial revealed distressing details regarding the events of June 19, 2018, inside the Delta Armouries hotel room. Along with McLeod, players Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote face serious allegations, all of them pleading not guilty to charges of sexual assault related to the incident.

The complainant relayed her experience of being overwhelmed, suggesting she was not fully present during the ordeal with so many players in the room. She claimed she reacted as though in a trance – a coping mechanism while engaging with unfamiliar men. The court witnessed her painful recounting of those moments earlier in the month.

McLeod’s assertion that players had to check in with the woman was compounded by confusing dynamics; she reportedly offered to perform sexual acts, yet frustration developed when few players were keen to engage due to their moral boundaries. McLeod explained the paradox: her requests drew comments about the awkwardness of involving several individuals in the room.

Evidence unearthed by the lead investigator, Detective Steve Newton, showed that the initial inquiry into the allegations concluded without charges due to lack of evidence for a crime. Newton noted the complainant’s later videos and behaviour led him to doubt her claims of intoxication, prompting his decision to close the case in February 2019.

The investigation dramatically unfolded again in early 2024 when police, under pressure from public scrutiny and after a previously undisclosed settlement was reached with Hockey Canada, revitalised their approach to the allegations. These events have surfaced in graphic detail, alongside new scrutiny aimed at both the players and the institution involved.

Another testimony surfaced where Formenton, a close roommate to McLeod on the night in question, reiterated the female’s frustration at the men’s hesitance resulting from their committed relationships. Formenton admitted feeling uncomfortable but willingly engaged in sexual activities with her when isolated in the bathroom.

In summary, the Hockey Canada trial continues to expose contentious details about a 2018 incident involving several junior hockey players. With testimony highlighting the dynamics of consent, intoxication, and peer pressure, the trial has prompted renewed discussions about accountability within sports. The gravity of the allegations faced by McLeod and his teammates raises crucial questions on the limits of consent and responsibility in such unsettling circumstances. The case is ongoing, and the court awaits to hear further testimonies and evidence as it unravels this distressing ordeal.

Original Source: www.thestar.com