Former CBC Host Jian Ghomeshi Acquitted Of Sexual Assault Charges

Ghomeshi

Former CBC RADIO 1 "Q" host JIAN GHOMESHI was acquitted of four charges of sexual assault and one of choking by an ONTARIO Court of Justice judge TODAY (3/24).

GHOMESHI, whose trial drew national attention after the host was accused of sexual assault by three women, was acquitted by Judge WILLIAM HORKINS, who said that the evidence presented by the complainants was inconsistent and deceptive, leading him to conclude that "it is impossible for the court to have sufficient faith in the reliability or sincerity of these complainants. Put simply, the volume of serious deficiencies in the evidence leaves the court with a reasonable doubt," although he added that his decision does not conclude that the events never happened.

The three women accusing GHOMESHI, who was the host of CBC television's "PLAY" at the time of the incidents in 2002-2003, of assault had contact with him after the alleged assaults, which the Court said they did not initially notify the police or prosecution about.

The decision was met with some protest outside the court, including a group chanting "We Believe Survivors" and a topless woman who rushed at a podium set up outside the courthouse with the words "Women Declare GHOMESHI Guilty" painted on her back, yelling "GHOMESHI Guilty!" while Crown prosecutor MICHAEL CALLAGHAN gave a statement to the media.  GHOMESHI faces a separate trial on another assault charge in JUNE.

Read the judge's decision here.

« see more Net News