Complainant breaks down as cross-examination resumes in Hoggard sexual assault trial

By The Canadian Press on September 27, 2024.

Justice Robin Tremblay, left to right, Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen, Crown Attorney Lilly Gates, Hoggard's lawyers Kally Ho, Megan Savard and Hoggard are shown in a courtroom sketch in Haileybury, Ont., Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould

HAILEYBURY, Ont. – Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial resumed this morning with a brief, emotional exchange during the continued cross-examination of his accuser.

The complainant alleges Hoggard raped, choked, slapped and urinated on her in his hotel room after she attended his band’s concert and an after-party in Kirkland Lake, Ont., eight years ago.

Hoggard, the frontman for the band Hedley, has pleaded not guilty in the trial. The defence and Crown agree that a sexual encounter took place, prosecutors are seeking to prove it was not consensual.

The complainant broke down in sobs and requested a break about 20 minutes into the day while under intense questioning from defence lawyer Megan Savard about her memories of the alleged assault.

The woman forcefully denied that there was a romantic atmosphere in the hotel room and that she did anything to participate in the removal of her clothing.

Savard was questioning the quality of her memory, and whether it was possible she was basing her testimony on emotions rather than recall, when the complainant began to break down.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.