Testimony begins in Jacob Hoggard's northern Ontario sexual assault trial

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

The Crown's key witness in the sexual assault trial against former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard took the stand in a northern Ontario courtroom Tuesday afternoon following the judge's instructions to the jury.

(Left to right) Justice Robin Tremblay, Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen, Crown Attorney Lilly Gates, Hoggard's lawyers Kally Ho, Megan Savard and accused former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard are shown in a courtroom sketch in Haileybury, Ont.. Sept. 23, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould)

Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay started proceedings by delivering his opening remarks to give the jury a "crash course on how to be a judge," cautioning the panel about unconscious bias and prejudices.

"You are learning how to be a judge in 45 minutes," Tremblay said to the jury in his remarks that began at 1:40 p.m.

Crown Attorney Lilly Gates gave a short opening address around 3 p.m., stating the complainant is the Crown's key witness in the case and will be the first to testify.

Gates said she expects the 27-year-old woman -- who can't be named due to a publication ban -- to tell the jury what happened the night she met Hoggard eight years ago.

Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen read the agreed statement of facts in the case.

Hoggard was the lead singer of the Canadian pop rock band Hedley from 2004-2018, who performed June 24, 2016, at the Joe Mavrinac Complex in Kirkland Lake.

He and the band stayed at the Comfort Inn hotel on Government Road in Kirkland Lake after the show.

Members of the public and the band attended a bonfire behind the hotel in the early morning hours of June 25, 2016.

Hoggard agrees there was a sexual encounter with the complainant in a hotel room after the bonfire.

In her opening address, Gates said she expects the woman to testify that she didn't want or consent to the things Hoggard did to her in the hotel room that night. 

She said she expects the witness to testify that she thought it was cool that he wanted to hang out with her and that the complainant thought they would talk or play guitar in his room.

The key witness is also expected to detail the alleged sexual assault, including vaginal penetration, attempted anal penetration, choking, slapping, being called a "pig" and being urinated on.

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Jurors have been instructed not to look at any media coverage of the case during the trial.

Hoggard is again sitting at the table with his defence attorneys wearing a black suit, white shirt and black tie.

The trial is expected to last seven days, but two weeks have been set aside in case more time is needed.

Hoggard's rock band Hedley announced its indefinite hiatus in 2018.

CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca is monitoring the court case remotely and will provide updates throughout the trial.

Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found at ReeseCommunity.com. Resources in your community can be found by entering your postal code. 

• If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911.
• Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found .
• National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
• 24-hour crisis line: 1-416-597-8808 
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] 
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
• Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: 1-844-750-1648

Read about your rights as a victim here.