Close X
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ADVT 
National

No Decision Yet About Whether Charest Will Testify At His Sex Assault Trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2017 11:49 AM
    SAINT-JEROME, Que. — Lawyers for former ski coach Bertrand Charest said Thursday they still didn't know whether he will testify at his sex assault trial.
     
    Defence lawyer Jacky-Eric Salvant said the decision will be made over the weekend.
     
    Salvant said he and his co-counsel will present a defence with "key witnesses," regardless of whether Charest takes the stand.
     
    Charest, 51, is on trial on 57 charges, including sexual assault and breach of trust, in relation to 12 complainants between the ages of 12 and 19.
     
    The allegations date back to the 1990s, a few years before and during the time he worked for Alpine Canada's women's development team, between 1996 and 1998.
     
    On Thursday, a woman who had taken the stand last week and accused Charest of inappropriate touching, returned to complete her testimony.
     
    She had found an old journal as well as letters dating from the time she was one of his ski students, in the 1990s.
     
    The woman told the court that when she was 15, Charest told her he loved her.
     
    She said at the time she thought she was in love with him.
     
    In one of the letters Charest had written her, he said he hoped she would keep their relationship secret.
     
    The Crown is expected to present its final witness Friday when the 12th complainant testifies.
     
    Salvant predicted that the trial, including closing arguments, will be finished by the end of next week.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Darshan Dhaliwal, Brampton, Ont. Man Charged In Spiritual Scam

    Darshan Dhaliwal, Brampton, Ont. Man Charged In Spiritual Scam
    In July 2016 the accused, Darshan DHALIWAL, met with the victim and advised her that he had won a lottery and that he had a lot of good luck as he was very close to God.

    Darshan Dhaliwal, Brampton, Ont. Man Charged In Spiritual Scam

    South Vancouver Home Sprayed By Bullets

    South Vancouver Home Sprayed By Bullets
    The people in the home are not cooperating with investigators and no arrests have been made, told Const. Jason Doucette.

    South Vancouver Home Sprayed By Bullets

    Police Investigate Death Of A Young Child In An East Vancouver Home

    Police Investigate Death Of A Young Child In An East Vancouver Home
    Police are investigating the death of a young child in Vancouver.

    Police Investigate Death Of A Young Child In An East Vancouver Home

    Fate Of Police Floats In Toronto Pride Festivities Uncertain After Vote

    Fate Of Police Floats In Toronto Pride Festivities Uncertain After Vote
    TORONTO — Uncertainty is swirling around a vote by the organizer of Toronto's Pride parade to ostensibly ban official police floats from future festivities.

    Fate Of Police Floats In Toronto Pride Festivities Uncertain After Vote

    Florence Leung's Grieving Husband Pens Emotional Letter To New Moms After Losing Wife

    Florence Leung's Grieving Husband Pens Emotional Letter To New Moms After Losing Wife
    Kim Chen posted his comments Tuesday on the Facebook page entitled Remembering Mother Florence Leung.

    Florence Leung's Grieving Husband Pens Emotional Letter To New Moms After Losing Wife

    Man Slightly Hurt In Latest Targeted Shooting In Abbotsford, B.C.

    Man Slightly Hurt In Latest Targeted Shooting In Abbotsford, B.C.
    Const. Ian MacDonald says a 22-year-old man left his home in the West Clearbrook neighbourhood at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and was confronted by several suspects.

    Man Slightly Hurt In Latest Targeted Shooting In Abbotsford, B.C.