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The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Judge finds five former players not guilty of sexual assault in Hockey Canada trial
Dillon Dube arrives at court as a judge prepares to announce the verdict in the trial against five teammates from Canada's 2018 gold medal–winning world junior hockey team, charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room, at the Superior Court of Justice in London, Ontario, Canada, July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio (Reuters) -Five former members of Canada's 2018 world junior ice hockey team were found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room that year, a judge declared on Thursday, according to CBC News. The charges against Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote stemmed from an encounter in a hotel room in the Canadian city of London after a Hockey Canada gala to celebrate their world junior championship victory. All five former National Hockey League players faced one count of sexual assault while McLeod faced an additional count of being a party to an offence. They all pleaded not guilty. McLeod was also found not guilty of the additional charge. When the charges were announced in January 2024, McLeod and Foote were with the New Jersey Devils, Dube was with the Calgary Flames, Hart was with the Philadelphia Flyers while Formenton was playing in Switzerland. The trial, which began in April, has faced many disruptions including a mistrial and two dismissed juries before a decision to proceed to a judge-alone trial. A police investigation into the alleged incident was closed without charges in February 2019, but investigators reopened it in July 2022 in response to public outrage over reports that Hockey Canada used players' registration fees to pay an undisclosed settlement to the woman who made the accusations. The scandal prompted the Canadian federal government to freeze Hockey Canada's funding for 10 months while a number of major companies either paused or canceled their sponsorships with the national governing body. Amid the scandal, Hockey Canada said it would no longer use the fund financed by player registration fees to settle sexual assault claims, and the organization's CEO and board of directors stepped down. (Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Nia Williams and Caroline Stauffer)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Judge finds five former players not guilty of sexual assault in Hockey Canada trial
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Dillon Dube arrives at court as a judge prepares to announce the verdict in the trial against five teammates from Canada's 2018 gold medal–winning world junior hockey team, charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room, at the Superior Court of Justice in London, Ontario, Canada, July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio Five former members of Canada's 2018 world junior ice hockey team were found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room that year, a judge declared on Thursday, according to CBC News. The charges against Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote stemmed from an encounter in a hotel room in the Canadian city of London after a Hockey Canada gala to celebrate their world junior championship victory. All five former National Hockey League players faced one count of sexual assault while McLeod faced an additional count of being a party to an offence. They all pleaded not guilty. McLeod was also found not guilty of the additional charge. When the charges were announced in January 2024, McLeod and Foote were with the New Jersey Devils, Dube was with the Calgary Flames, Hart was with the Philadelphia Flyers while Formenton was playing in Switzerland. The trial, which began in April, has faced many disruptions including a mistrial and two dismissed juries before a decision to proceed to a judge-alone trial. A police investigation into the alleged incident was closed without charges in February 2019, but investigators reopened it in July 2022 in response to public outrage over reports that Hockey Canada used players' registration fees to pay an undisclosed settlement to the woman who made the accusations. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Life Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into a billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71 Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B The scandal prompted the Canadian federal government to freeze Hockey Canada's funding for 10 months while a number of major companies either paused or canceled their sponsorships with the national governing body. Amid the scandal, Hockey Canada said it would no longer use the fund financed by player registration fees to settle sexual assault claims, and the organization's CEO and board of directors stepped down. REUTERS
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Sentencing of Niagara man for fatal 2023 hit-and-run may be delayed due to new impaired boating charges
The sentencing of a Niagara man for the 2023 hit-and-run death of an 84-year-old cyclist may have to be postponed as the offender was recently arrested following an incident in cottage country that left a swimmer with life-threatening injuries, court heard Wednesday. Richard Moore, 39, was scheduled to appear in Superior Court of Justice in St. Catharines to set a date for Judge Michael Bordin to deliver judgment on a charge of failing to stop at an accident causing death in relation to the Niagara-on-the-Lake hit-and-run death of 84-year-old Nestor Chemerika. Moore did not attend court. He was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police on Saturday after a 22-year-old swimmer suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a boat in Muskoka Lakes Township. Moore now faces charges of impaired operation causing bodily harm, refusing to provide a breath sample, failing to stop at an accident causing bodily harm and failing to comply with a release order. He remains in custody and is expected to appear in a Bracebridge courtroom on Monday. Ontario Provincial Police said emergency responders were called to Skeleton Lake after numerous callers reported a boating collision. The victim was rushed to a local hospital then taken by helicopter to a Toronto hospital with life-threatening injuries. In court Wednesday, defence lawyer Jeffrey Manishen told Judge Amy Ohler that sentencing on the Niagara matter may have to be delayed. 'There has been a very specific personal development in the circumstances of Mr. Moore with the result that I'm going to seek his instructions on whether as the result of that he wishes me to make further submissions on sentence,' he said. Moore previously pleaded guilty to the Niagara charge and the judge had reserved his decision on sentence, which can range from a fine to life in prison. The Crown is seeking a custodial term, while the defence advocated for a conditional sentence, also known as house arrest. 'As a result of these further developments, I wish to seek my client's instructions to see what he'd like do about them and whether that would necessitate a further submission,' Manishen said Wednesday. The local matter was adjourned until August. While the OPP did not name the victim of the boating incident, a number of social media posts have identified him as Austin Anderson. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the young man's family. Almost $16,500 had been raised as of Wednesday afternoon. An updated statement posted on the page Monday said the Anderson family is grateful for the support they have received since the incident. 'At this stage in Austin's recovery, doctors expect him to remain in a coma for at least two more weeks to allow his body the time it needs to rest and heal from this horrible accident,' the statement said. 'This next phase will require patience, strength and continued support.' Details of the Niagara-on-the-Lake fatality were revealed when Moore pleaded guilty in June. On July 13, 2023, court heard, a Niagara Regional Police officer on routine patrol on East and West Line near Niagara Street spotted a single running shoe and vehicle debris in the middle of the road. He pulled over to investigate and made a horrific discovery — in a nearby irrigation ditch was a mangled bicycle and the critically injured cyclist. Chemerika, a retired GM worker, was airlifted to a Hamilton hospital. He died from his injuries on July 25, 2023. Moore fled the scene. A police investigation determined Moore's pickup truck had struck the octogenarian from behind. Moore did not stop or render aid to the injured man, instead he fled the scene. Among the roadway debris at the site was a damaged passenger-side mirror. Police later located a GMC Sierra in the driveway of a Niagara Falls home. Its passenger-side mirror had recently been replaced. Moore was arrested three months later. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
MANDEL: Mentally ill man with history of stabbing strangers convicted of murder
Davy Balan, 58, had been found not criminally responsible twice before for stabbing three random strangers Get the latest from Michele Mandel straight to your inbox Davy Balan was found guilty of first-degree murder in the June 2023 stabbing death of Maxim Karyakin. Photo by Superior Court of Justice On the last day of June 2023, Maxim Karyakin was simply walking near Cedarbrae Mall when a stranger suddenly plunged a knife into his heart. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The beloved 30-year-old died 40 minutes later in a hospital. Two days later, Toronto Police arrested Davy Balan, a divorced father of three who suffers from schizophrenia and more shockingly had been found not criminally responsible twice before for stabbing three random strangers who luckily survived. Balan, 58, tried again to plead NCR but in a ruling delivered Wednesday, Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly found he was not only criminally responsible for the fatal stabbing, but it was a planned and deliberate murder. 'I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Balan planned to kill a stranger that day by stabbing them. He deliberated on that plan. He carried out his plan by stabbing and killing Mr. Karyakin, a stranger to him,' Kelly said in finding him guilty of first-degree murder. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Stabbing victim Maxim Karyakin, 30, of Toronto. Balan, who was being treated with anti-psychotic medication for schizophrenia, was under the supervision of nurses from the Canadian Mental Health Association stepped care team since 2018. Court heard he'd recently quit his job at the LCBO, but was otherwise stable. The nurses made a home visit just two days before the murder and reported he seemed to be his 'normal self' with only mild symptoms of his mental illness. 'Other than the senseless killing of Mr. Karyakin, Mr. Balan exhibited no bizarre behaviour immediately before, during or after the killing,' Kelly said. 'There is no evidence that Mr. Balan was preoccupied by any auditory hallucinations or delusions. It appears that Mr. Balan had a plan. He equipped himself with the tools to execute the plan. He brought a knife with him into the vehicle and a change of clothes.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. According to the agreed statement, Balan drove from his Tuxedo Crt. apartment at 11:46 a.m. that June day and parked at Cedarbrae Mall. He loitered under a tree near the intersection and appeared to be approaching one victim until the man changed direction. Two minutes later, Balan targeted Karyakin, who was walking along Crusader St., and without warning stabbed the poor man once in the heart 'with force.' Read More Balan then jogged back to his car and headed home, according to the statement, discarding the blood-stained kitchen knife, his Pink Floyd shirt, plaid pyjamas pants, Adidas slides and fedora along the way. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Court heard Balan has done this before. In April 2000, he was in a car with his six-year-old son on James St. when he got out and began stabbing a stranger who'd just exited a taxi. The man was able to break free and collapsed nearby. Balan drove away, but then stopped to attack a woman walking home from work, stabbing her in the upper body, arms and head. Found not criminally responsible on two counts of attempted murder due to a mental illness, Balan was given an absolute discharge by the Ontario Review Board four years later. RECOMMENDED VIDEO But just two years later, Balan struck again. Court heard he was parked at a Tim Hortons on Midland Ave. when he got out of his vehicle and stabbed a customer in the chest before driving away. Once again, he was found NCR. Once again, he was given an absolute discharge in 2012. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He was stable for 11 years. A month before he killed Karyakin, he had travelled for three weeks to the Philippines to visit his girlfriend. Asked by psychiatrists what was happening that day that led to the horrifying attack, he was evasive and wouldn't answer their questions. Did Balan believe he could get away with stabbing a stranger for the third time? Not this time. 'While I have concluded Mr. Balan was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the stabbing, I am not satisfied on a balance of probabilities that he was incapable of knowing his act was morally wrong,' the judge concluded. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for the fall. mmandel@ MMA Celebrity Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
16-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Windsor judge delivers 16-year prison sentence to Toronto man in $13M drug operation
Millar Holmes-Hill Published Jul 16, 2025 • 2 minute read The downtown Windsor Superior Court of Justice building is shown Oct. 30, 2023. Photo by Doug Schmidt / Windsor Star A Toronto man was handed a 16-year prison sentence Tuesday in Windsor for his role in a multimillion-dollar plot to smuggle drugs into Canada for distribution. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Marvin Watson, 32, pleaded guilty to importing meth and cocaine, possessing meth for the purpose of trafficking, laundering proceeds of crime, and possessing property obtained by crime in September 2024. CBSA border officials and RCMP investigators seized 300 kilograms of meth from a truck inspected at the Ambassador Bridge after entering Canada on March 4, 2023. In November, RCMP officers arrested Watson during a vehicle stop in Toronto, seizing another 120 kg of cocaine from his vehicle. Using a court warrant to subsequently search the North York home he shared with common law spouse Maria Kiguru — also suspected of involvement — police said they seized more drugs in the garage, including 100 kg of meth and two kg of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy). Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The RCMP credited a broad joint policing effort on both sides of the border for the arrests and seizure of about 520 kg in illicit drugs with an estimated street value of $13 million. Defence lawyer Frank Retar told the court Tuesday that his client 'innocently enough' began selling marijuana during the COVID-19 pandemic, before becoming involved in more serious drug distribution. 'He was more than a courier, but he wasn't the mastermind behind any operation of this kind,' Retar told Ontario Superior Court of Justice Paul Howard, adding his client had no prior criminal record. 'There's no fentanyl. There's no heroin. There's no guns or weapons of any kind. This is in no way a sophisticated operation.' Kiguru, who was also charged as part of the investigation, pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to laundering proceeds of crime and was sentenced to a two-year conditional sentence that included eight months of house arrest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Watson was scheduled to be sentenced in January, but the hearing was postponed until July as he prepared to become a first-time father. 'I would like to thank you, for granting me the time to be there with my family for when my baby was born,' Watson told Justice Howard. 'That means a lot to me.' In a joint submission, federal drug prosecutor Surinder Aujla and Retar, proposed a sentence of 16 years in prison. Watson received credit for more than 200 days spent in pre-trial custody, much of which was served under lockdown conditions and in an overcrowded cell, reducing his sentence to 14 years and five months — or 5,269 days — left to be served. Calling it a 'significant' sentence, but not one at the 'most upper level,' Justice Howard accepted the joint submission. Before being sentenced, Watson told the court that he was trying to support his family and never intended to hurt anyone. 'I just wanted to make me and my family safe,' Watson said. 'I made the decision to keep on going and here I am. I don't want anybody to think I'm just some money hungry guy. 'I just got myself into a situation and I thought the best way to get out was just to get arrested.' mholmeshill@ Crime Toronto & GTA Entertainment World NFL
