Sexual assault case against 2018 Canada world junior players nears a verdict

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LONDON, Ontario (AP) — A judge is set to deliver her verdict Thursday in the sexual assault case in involving five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team.

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Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia is solely responsible for handing down a ruling in the case after dismissing the jury in May

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There is a wide range of outcomes if any of the men are found guilty, with sentences in Canada for varying degrees of sexual assault ranging from no mandatory minimum up to 10 years in prison.

It was not immediately clear whether the players would be able to return to the NHL if they are found not guilty. Bettman has said the league will let the legal case play out before taking any steps.

Whatever the judge decides, Bettman has wide latitude to make decisions in the interest of the game when it comes to off-ice behavior.

Here we go again. Verdict expected, Thursday, July 24.

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[LuvthaBlues]

I'm really interested to see how this goes. I know Canadian law is a bit different than American law when it comes to consent, but regardless, this Judge has a pretty big job to do today.

[ClassicO]

Verdict = acquittal. Judge didn't find the complainant "credible or reliable."

[Pierre McGuire]

Oilers sign Carter Hart this afternoon…BOOK IT.

[Nublues69]

Oilers sign Carter Hart this afternoon…BOOK IT.

is he a free agent

[STL fan in MN]

Oilers sign Carter Hart this afternoon…BOOK IT.

is he a free agent

They’re all free agents. No team would touch these guys with a 10 foot pole.

And the verdict isn’t official yet. But with the judge opening with her not finding the Crown met the obligation of no reasonable doubt, not guilty seems to obviously be where this is headed, as I expected.

[Nublues69]

Is there anyone that blues could use?

[somni]

Oilers sign Carter Hart this afternoon…BOOK IT.

They had no qualms signing Evander Kane and his gambling/assault issues and Corey Perry right after his nude escapade, so maybe.

[Cardsfan1586]

I hope all you who judged these kids apologize, which you won't. Just another cap in the feather of "me too". all made up and fraudulent, all the time.

[sdaltons]

I hope all you who judged these kids apologize, which you won't. Just another cap in the feather of "me too". all made up and fraudulent, all the time.

Uhhh you might want to review some things about the case and ruling

[dhsux]

I hope all you who judged these kids apologize, which you won't. Just another cap in the feather of "me too". all made up and fraudulent, all the time.

Boy that's an unbiased opinion right there.

I don't know this case well and never formed a predisposed opinion there's that.

But I fail to see it connected to "me too' but rather a bunch of young athletes behaving badly and very much on the edge of decent moral standards, at the very least.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

I hope all you who judged these kids apologize, which you won't. Just another cap in the feather of "me too". all made up and fraudulent, all the time.

Uhhh you might want to review some things about the case and ruling

The Mcleod parents must be so proud of their son. The Judge's initial ruling gets it right and says it all. "This is not about morality or optics. it's about the law."

[kimzey59]

Is there anyone that blues could use?

Honestly, all of the players involved were useful NHL'ers.

Dube was coming off a 45 point season for Calgary
McCleod was finally emerging as a 20+ point center with a power game
Hart was starting to realize his potential as a starting goalie
Formenton was coming off a 30 point season for Ottawa
Foote probably the "worst" of the bunch, but still a 6'4" viable #7/8 RHD isn't nothing.

Dube was easily the best of the bunch, but I don't know that I'd take the gamble on any of them given the circumstances(maybe Dube if he'd take a League minimum deal; but having him and Mailloux on the same team is a bit much).

[britishblue]

Is there anyone that blues could use?

Honestly, all of the players involved were useful NHL'ers.

Dube was coming off a 45 point season for Calgary
McCleod was finally emerging as a 20+ point center with a power game
Hart was starting to realize his potential as a starting goalie
Formenton was coming off a 30 point season for Ottawa
Foote probably the "worst" of the bunch, but still a 6'4" viable #7/8 RHD isn't nothing.

Dube was easily the best of the bunch, but I don't know that I'd take the gamble on any of them given the circumstances(maybe Dube if he'd take a League minimum deal; but having him and Mailloux on the same team is a bit much).

Not to mention they have all had a year out of the league and lets be honest this will have clearly impacted them.

I suspect you will see a couple of them in a few years if they put strong seasons together overseas and demonstrate good character.

While what happened wasnt illegal, it has been very well documented, and its not the sort of behaviour teams would rush to embrace.

In a few years there will be the "learned from mistakes" "matured" "deserves a second chance" if they keep their nose clean and play good hockey.

They arent the first pro athletes to do this sort of thing, but rightly or wrongly, it being in the public domain does matter. Again they didnt do anything illegal, but that doesnt mean teams will rush to be associated with them.

[LuvthaBlues]

Carter Hart found not guilty.

[DawgDad]

A bit premature, but the judge saying she did not find the complaintant's testimony to be credible casts the outcome in a whole new light. I don't see how the NHL can deny these guys the right to play on that basis without inviting lawsuits.

These guys and the girl all did something very stupid and in different ways they've all paid a price, in public. Probably best everyone just moves on, except for that Canadian junior hockey organization that may still have some introspection and housecleaning left to do