Close X
Sunday, January 12, 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

    Man In Hospital Following Shooting In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Man In Hospital Following Shooting In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
    This shooting does not appear to be random, and no arrests have been made.

    Man In Hospital Following Shooting In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Federal Government Approves Three Supervised Injection Sites In Montreal

    Canada currently has two drug injection sites in Canada — both in Vancouver — and existing laws allow such sites to operate only in exceptional circumstances.

    Federal Government Approves Three Supervised Injection Sites In Montreal

    Vancouver Police Appeal For Public’s Help To Solve Homicide

    Vancouver Police Appeal For Public’s Help To Solve Homicide
    The VPD’s Major Crime Section is appealing for the public’s help to solve the Wednesday night homicide in Stanley Park.

    Vancouver Police Appeal For Public’s Help To Solve Homicide

    Health Ministry Gives Nod For Patient Care Tower In Kamloops, B.C.

    Health Ministry Gives Nod For Patient Care Tower In Kamloops, B.C.
    Health Minister Terry Lake says the government expects work on the $417-million project to begin in 2018

    Health Ministry Gives Nod For Patient Care Tower In Kamloops, B.C.

    Imam Hassan Guillet Says Speech That Was Re-tweeted By J.K. Rowling Came From His Heart

    Imam Hassan Guillet Says Speech That Was Re-tweeted By J.K. Rowling Came From His Heart
    An imam who spoke at the funerals for three Quebec mosque shooting victims says he believes his words have become popular on social media because his message came from the heart.

    Imam Hassan Guillet Says Speech That Was Re-tweeted By J.K. Rowling Came From His Heart

    Shafia Brother Convicted Of Killing 4 Women Asks Top Court To Hear His Case

    Shafia Brother Convicted Of Killing 4 Women Asks Top Court To Hear His Case
    Hamed Shafia and his parents were found guilty in January 2012 of four counts of first-degree murder — killings their trial judge described as being motivated by their "twisted concept of honour."

    Shafia Brother Convicted Of Killing 4 Women Asks Top Court To Hear His Case