Ghomeshi sexual assault trial underway

Former CBC Radio Host Jian Ghomeshi stepped in to his first day of trail for sexual assault Monday morning in Toronto.

If convicted of sexual assault, Ghomeshi faces a maximum sentence of 18 months behind bars.

The former CBC host was released on bail for $100,000 in November. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The first witness at the Jian Ghomeshi sex assault trial is facing intensifying cross-examination. Henein was part of the legal team responsible for getting former Nova Scotia premier Gerald Regan acquitted in 1998 on various charges pertaining to sexual assault.

His trial, which is being held at the Old City Hall, will resume at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

As fallible as she was, the woman’s disintegration on the stand may also illustrate the perils of police investigations and prosecutions that unfold in a politically charged atmosphere. Mr. Ghomeshi has entered a plea of not guilty and opted for a trial by judge in the high profile criminal case against him for sexual assault.

After saying Ghomeshi had been “flirtatious” with her, the complainant said she was invited to tapings of a CBC Newsworld TV show, Play, that the former rock star was then hosting at the network.

She’s been likened to Hannibal Lecter for her ability to zero in on people’s weaknesses, but the lawyer representing Jian Ghomeshi is also known for fighting for those who can’t defend themselves, one of her peers says.

The volley of questions followed a series of accusations by Ms. Henein that the witness had given separate accounts of the alleged January, 2003, assault at Mr. Ghomeshi’s house. The e-mail went on to make an unexplained reference to Mr. Ghomeshi “plowing snow naked” and suggest that he look at a music video in which she appeared, which had been posted online.

He has said he had consensual “rough sex” with women.

She said again that she had not watched him on television and had no interest in him as she was in a committed relationship at the time. Essentially, if there is reasonable doubt in regards to the testimonies of the witnesses, the defense will attempt to leverage this with an acquittal. “But I wasn’t shocked by how many”. But more than 20 individuals have made allegations against Ghomeshi.

“I remain satisfied that I chose to come forward”, she said, and encouraged “other victims of abuse to come forward and not be afraid”.

“I wanted him to call me”, she explained. “There was a long history of this behavior”.

“That is the truth”, she said.

“What is potentially unique here is in addition to the statement or statements to the police or examined by the crown you also have statements made to the CBC and the Star that obviously creates the potential for further inconsistencies”, Craig said. However, due to the fact that the case itself is an indictable offence as well as the choking charge present, he runs the risk of between a 10 year to a life time sentence due to the nature of the crimes.

Her turn in the witness box over Tuesday, the first complainant issued a statement through her lawyer, Jake Jesin.

The disconnect between the sturdy soldier-on tone of the statement and what had just happened in Courtroom 125 was as staggering as everything else. Nonetheless the woman maintained her composure in the face of the intense grilling by Marie Henein, although she occasionally seemed mildly frustrated.