Three trials possible for accused in sex assaults

By Herald on March 9, 2021.

Delon Shurtz – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – dshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 33-year-old Lethbridge man originally scheduled to have one trial for alleged sexual assaults against six women, could have three trials if a judge agrees with a defence recommendation. Calgary lawyer Andre Ouellette asked a judge Monday in Lethbridge provincial court, to hold one trial for four of the women, and one trial for each of the remaining two women. A two-week trial for Sohil Bindra was set to begin Monday, but it was cancelled for the defence-requested severance hearing, in which Ouellette applied for the separate trials. Ouellette said he is concerned about the possibility of “cross pollination;” that evidence from one complainant could influence what a judge hears during another complainant’s evidence. “You can’t unring a bell,” Ouellette said outside the courtroom during a break in the hearing. Ouellette believes it would be unfair to his client to have the same judge hear similar testimony by six women during the same trial. Police reported in March 2020 that an 18-year-old woman was sexually assaulted after attending a bar with a friend on Feb. 7. During the evening the pair met a man, and when the 18-year-old suddenly became unwell, he offered to drive the two friends to their homes. After taking the 18-year-old inside, the man left the residence. He returned a short time later, however, entered the home and sexually assaulted the woman, police said. She was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital for treatment and released later in the day. Police searched a suspect’s home and recovered evidence related to the offence, including the victim’s cellphone. Bindra, who is in custody but attended court Monday, initially faced a single charge of housebreaking and two counts of sexual assault in relation to one woman, and had been released on bail. However, more charges were added later after five more women came forward and said they had also been sexually assaulted. One of the alleged assaults goes back to July 2017. he accused was taken into custody in March when he attended a court hearing and was subsequently denied bail. Bindra pleaded not guilty the same month to more than a dozen charges, comprising housebreaking and commit sexual assault, sexual assault, administering a noxious substance, drug possession and choking with intent to commit an indictable offence. He also faces an additional charge of failing to comply with release conditions. The severance hearing is set to resume today when Judge Eric Peterson is expected to give his decision and possibly set trial dates. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter

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