Videos recorded at Jack`s bar on the evening of June 18, 2018, depicting several current and former NHL players, were presented in court on Tuesday during the second day of the sexual assault trial taking place in London, Ontario.
Detective Tiffany Waque of the London Police Service, who began her testimony on Monday as the Crown`s first witness, verified the source of the videos. As the clips were played in the courtroom, she identified each of the players visible inside the bar to the jury when asked.
The complainant, identified as “E.M.”, was seen at various points in the bar alongside several players, including Michael McLeod, Tyler Steenbergen, Drake Batherson, Cale Makar, Maxime Comtois, Dillon Dube, Jake Bean, and Cal Foote. Some of the footage shown was identified as originating from the phones of Batherson and McLeod.
The defense had previously agreed to the continuity and authenticity of the videos.
Michael McLeod, 27, faces two counts of sexual assault, including one related to aiding in the offense. Dillon Dube, 26, Cal Foote, 26, Alex Formenton, 25, and Carter Hart, 26, are each charged with one count of sexual assault. All five defendants have pleaded not guilty. The other players identified in the videos by Det. Waque have not been charged with a crime.
Proceedings on Tuesday afternoon were paused due to technical difficulties and high temperatures within the courtroom. Testimony is anticipated to continue on Wednesday.
Det. Tiffany Waque of the London Police Service testifies during the trial for five former NHL players accused of a 2018 sexual assault. (Alexandra Newbould)