Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
-- WARNING -- The following details of the sexual assault case may be disturbing, discretion is advised.
The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.
The former Hedley frontman has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in the June 25, 2016 encounter that took place in Kirkland Lake, Ont.
Both the Crown and defence agree that a sexual encounter took place in Hoggard's hotel room that night after a concert and bonfire after-party, meaning the case has centred on the question of consent.
The complainant and the singer both took the stand during the trial. The woman, whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, was the Crown's only witness.
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 said they flirted all night, then had a consensual one-night stand.
In his final instructions Friday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay told jurors that in order to find Hoggard guilty, they must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant did not consent to the specific sexual activity she said occurred, and that Hoggard knew she did not consent.
Consenting to one sexual act does not mean consent is given for any or all other acts, and silence, submission or lack of resistance do not signify consent, he explained Friday. Nor does following Hoggard to his hotel room indicate consent, he added.
If the jury believes Hoggard's testimony, or it leaves them with a reasonable doubt, they must acquit him, Tremblay said.
Even if they do not believe Hoggard and his testimony does not leave them with a reasonable doubt, they must find him not guilty unless the rest of the evidence convinces them beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant did not consent and he knew she did not consent, the judge said.
Jurors, consisting of three men and nine women, were sent to start deliberations shortly before 1 p.m. Oct. 4.
Lawyers for the Crown and the defence each made a final pitch to the jury on Thursday.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Defence lawyers for the singer suggested Thursday the woman lied about the nature of the encounter to cover up her infidelity and preserve her relationships with her boyfriend and family.
They further argued her account of what happened that night was rife with inconsistencies, with several details changing over time.
Prosecutors argued the woman had no reason to lie, noting there was no evidence the people in her life were aware of the incident, aside from a cousin who accompanied her to the concert.
The Crown disputed some of the alleged inaccuracies in her testimony, including details about the vehicle she rode in on her way to the bonfire.
Prosecutor Peter Keen acknowledged there were some inconsistencies on "peripheral details" of her account but argued she remained "unshaken" on the core elements of her allegations.
Most of 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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump wants to narrow his deficit with women but he's not changing how he talks about them
Donald Trump's campaign has used sexist and crude language, expressing alarm at the idea of women voting differently than their partners.
Where should Canada look to improve its housing situation? The answer may shock you
Housing experts argue widespread adoption of government-supported affordable housing, the growth of alternative models like co-operatives and co-housing, and the increased use of advanced building techniques could all play a role in improving Canada's housing system.
Guelph, Ont. woman says she was pushed to homelessness and 'thrown on the street'
For people living on the fringe of society, the line between the safety and security of a home and homelessness is very thin.
Flood survivors pelt Spain's royals with mud and premier is evacuated during a visit
Spain's King Felipe VI and top government officials were pelted with mud by a crowd of enraged flood survivors during the first visit by the country's leaders Sunday to the centre of the suffering.
U.K. prosecutors are mulling whether to charge Russell Brand over sex assault allegations
British prosecutors say they have been given a file of evidence from police about alleged sexual offenses by comedian Russell Brand and are considering whether to charge him.
Here's what to consider before adding a rental unit to your home
With the rising cost of living, you may have thought about ways to make extra money and adding a rental unit to your home may have been one of them.
She got on a plane to find the guy she fell for at Oktoberfest. ‘I’m going to go and find my ginger’
Mandy Suess was so certain the red-haired man she met at Oktoberfest was special that she got on a plane to go and find him
'2032 is not good enough': Kelly Craft says Canada has to spend faster on defence if Trump wins
A former U.S. ambassador says Canada needs to spend more on defence, and do so faster than the federal government's currently planning to, to meet the expectations of its NATO allies.
Most Americans believe abortion should be legal, at least in most circumstances, but it's still a flashpoint issue in JD Vance's home state
Abortion is a flashpoint in the upcoming American election, even as polls in the U.S. show most people support reproductive freedom. Abortion rights advocates tell CTV News that when candidates take a stance on that, it could influence a decision at the polling station– especially for women on who they want elected.