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Judge set to give final instructions to jury in Jacob Hoggard sex assault trial

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HAILEYBURY, Ont. -

-- WARNING -- The following details of the sexual assault case may be disturbing, discretion is advised.

The judge overseeing the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard is expected to begin delivering his final instructions to a northeastern Ontario jury today.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay will lay out the legal principles jurors must apply as they consider the evidence heard in the nearly two-week trial.

Lawyers for the Crown and the defence each made a final pitch to the jury Thursday.

Both sides agree that a sexual encounter took place in Hoggard's hotel room after a concert and bonfire after-party in Kirkland Lake, Ont., roughly eight years ago, meaning the case has centred on consent.

The complainant, who was 19 at the time, says Hoggard raped, choked, hit and urinated on her, and called her names like "dirty little piggy."

Hoggard says they flirted all night, then had a consensual one-night stand.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2024.

Background

Hoggard was charged in 2022 with sexual assault in relation to an incident that allegedly occurred in Kirkland Lake, Ont., on June 25, 2016.

He performed with his band Hedley at the Kirkland Lake Homecoming festival the day before the alleged incident.

Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay is presiding over the trial at the Haileybury courthouse in Temiskaming Shores.

The trial is expected to last seven days, but two weeks have been set aside.

Hoggard is being defended by attorneys Megan Savard and Kally Ho.

Throughout the proceedings, the accused can be seen sitting at a table next to his legal team wearing a black suit, white dress shirt and black tie.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge against him Monday.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen and Crown Attorney Lilly Gates.

Hoggard was the lead singer of the rock band Hedley until 2018 when the band announced it went into an indefinite hiatus.

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