2018 WJC complainant E.M. speaks out After Not Guilty verdicts amid pressure to reveal identity

On Thursday, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote were found not guilty in the controversial sexual assault trial involving five players from the 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team. The players were found not guilty of all charges in an encounter with a woman in a hotel room seven years ago, Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled, stating she found the complainant E.M. not “credible or reliable”.

Things moved quickly from as the players celebrated their acquittal. The NHL has declared the players currently ineligible to play in the league while it reviews the judge’s findings and decides on next steps, while the NHL’s Players Association took issues with the assessment from the league and responded that its players should “have the opportunity to return to work.” The Association evaluates the case does not align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.

But while attention focused largely on the players and the league’s response, E.M. also issued a statement through her lawyer, addressing the outcome and her disappointment.

Speaking outside the courthouse on E.M.’s behalf, lawyer Karen Bellehumeur said her client was devastated by the verdict and by the judge’s characterization of her testimony.

“Today’s verdict is so devastating. E.M. did everything in her power to recount her experience honestly and to the best of her ability,’ her lawyer said.

“She’s very disappointed with Her Honour’s assessment of her honesty and reliability,” Bellehumeur said. “She’s really never experienced not being believed like this before.”

E.M. had followed the proceedings remotely and, according to her lawyer, understood the risks when she chose to testify over the course of nine intense days earlier this year.

She said E.M. knew there were no guarantees of guilty verdicts, but pushed ahead with testifying over nine days this year “even if it meant opening herself up to intense scrutiny and unjustified criticism. Her purpose, which was always at the forefront of her mind, was to stand up for herself and for others who have had similar experiences.”

The Crown now has 30 days to decide whether it will appeal the decision, stating only that the ruling will be reviewed carefully in the coming weeks. In the meantime, E.M. is unfortunately trending on social media as fans demand to know her identity because she was deemed untruthful in her testimony.

I say leave the woman alone, and let’s move forward.