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

    Judge To Give Verdict For Winnipeg Woman Accused Of Hiding Dead Babies In Locker

    Judge To Give Verdict For Winnipeg Woman Accused Of Hiding Dead Babies In Locker
    A judge is to give his decision today in the case of a woman charged with disposing of the remains of six infants in a Winnipeg storage locker.

    Judge To Give Verdict For Winnipeg Woman Accused Of Hiding Dead Babies In Locker

    Pentagon Meeting Today: A First For Members Of Trump-Trudeau Cabinets

    WASHINGTON — Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan is to hold a first meeting today with his newly sworn-in American counterpart James Mattis.

    Pentagon Meeting Today: A First For Members Of Trump-Trudeau Cabinets

    O No, Canada: Singer Flubs Anthem At Raptors Game In NYC

    O No, Canada: Singer Flubs Anthem At Raptors Game In NYC
    A Broadway performer botched the Canadian national anthem before the Toronto Raptors' game in Brooklyn on Sunday, singing lyrics that aren't in "O Canada."

    O No, Canada: Singer Flubs Anthem At Raptors Game In NYC

    Canadian Military To Become First To Issue Guidelines On Child Soldiers

    Canadian Military To Become First To Issue Guidelines On Child Soldiers
    The Canadian military is poised to become the first in the world to issue guidelines for dealing with child soldiers, as it prepares to deploy hundreds of peacekeepers to Africa.

    Canadian Military To Become First To Issue Guidelines On Child Soldiers

    Halifax Police Will Not Participate In Pride Parade Amid 'National Debate'

    Halifax Police Will Not Participate In Pride Parade Amid 'National Debate'
    A news release from Halifax Regional Police says the decision was made after several months of discussions with Halifax Pride.

    Halifax Police Will Not Participate In Pride Parade Amid 'National Debate'

    Car Hits Lightpost, Destroys Fence, Then Slams Into Home In Central Alberta

    Car Hits Lightpost, Destroys Fence, Then Slams Into Home In Central Alberta
    An elderly couple were taken to hospital with undisclosed injuries after their car lost control and slammed into a garage and a home in central Alberta.

    Car Hits Lightpost, Destroys Fence, Then Slams Into Home In Central Alberta