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Defence set to lay out case in Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial

HAILEYBURY, Ont. — Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial is set to resume in a northeastern Ontario court today, with the defence expected to lay out its case.
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Justice Robin Tremblay, left to right, Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen, Crown Attorney Lilly Gates, Hoggard's lawyers Kally Ho, Megan Savard and Hoggard are shown in a courtroom sketch in Haileybury, Ont., Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould

HAILEYBURY, Ont. — Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial is set to resume in a northeastern Ontario court today, with the defence expected to lay out its case.

The complainant who accuses Hoggard of raping her after a concert eight years ago finished her testimony on Friday.

The woman, whose name is protected by a publication ban, says the Hedley singer choked, slapped and urinated on her during the alleged assault in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

Hoggard pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the trial taking place in the nearby community of Haileybury.

His defence counsel repeatedly accused the complainant of fabricating her story during a laboured three-day cross-examination last week.

Lawyer Megan Savard is expected to lay out the defence's case as the trial continues today.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press