On Thursday morning, Judge Maria Carroccia determined that the allegations and evidence against ex-New Jersey Devils players, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, as well as the rest of the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault accused, are not credible.
BACKGROUND: Michael McLeod and Cal Foote Named in 2018 Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Investigation, Face Charges
Thus, Judge Carroccia has determined there is no verdict stemming from the allegations put forth by
Accused with McLeod and Foote are also ex-NHLers Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Alex Formenton.
All five players plead not guilty to charges made against them by E.M. of sexual assault, stemming from an incident in 2018 in which the accuser claimed she was sexually assaulted for hours by the accused.
Judge Carroccia claimed, “I cannot rely upon the evidence of E.M. and then considering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus on any of the counts before me,” and later stated, “In this case, I have found actual consent not vitiated by fear.”
Judge Caroccia dismantled the case point by point and player by player
2:50 PM: Cal Foote, accused of his own partaking in the alleged sexual assault, was determined by the judge as not guilty.
3:10 PM: Michael McLeod, coined as “The Architect” of the accusations, was determined not guilty.
“It is the position of the defence that E.M. was interested in group sexual activity with the other players,” Carroccia said. “That is why Mr. McLeod invited others into the room. Once they were in the room, there was no evidence from E.M. or anyone else that Mr. McLeod did anything or said anything to encourage others or to assist others to engage in sexual activity with the complainant.”
*Quotes by Judge Carrocia via The London Free Press
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