Jury dismissed in trial involving five 2018 Hockey Canada world junior players

The 14-person jury involved in the trial of five former 2018 Canadian world junior players has been discharged from the case.

According to numerous reports, Justice Maria Carroccia thanked the jurors and dismissed them on Friday morning. On Thursday, one of the jurors submitted a note saying some members felt like they were being judged by lawyers involved with the case.

“Multiple jury members feel we are being judged and made fun of by lawyers [Daniel] Brown and Hilary Dudding,” the note said, according to TSN’s Rick Westhead. “Every day when we enter the courtroom they observe us, whisper to each other and turn to each other and laugh as if they are discussing our appearance. This is unprofessional and unacceptable.”

A recess was called shortly after, with the jurors then dismissed for the day. The trial will now be decided solely by judge.

This is the second jury to be dismissed from the case after the original 14-person panel was let go due to a mistrial in April. Unlike then, evidence that has already been presented and witnesses that have previously testified will not need to be brought forward again.

Former NHLers Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart are all facing one count of sexual assault, while Michael McLeod is facing two. Four of the five players were active NHLers as recently as last year, with Alex Formenton having last played in 2021-22. Dube and McLeod played in the KHL this season, while Foote played in Slovakia. Formenton and Hart have not played since being charged.

In June of 2018, the accused were in London, Ont., to celebrate Canada’s 2018 World Junior gold medal win. After the Hockey Canada event, members of the team attended a bar in downtown London, where they met the alleged victim (known only as E.M.). The alleged assault took place at a hotel in London.

All five players have pleaded not guilty.