Sexual assault trial of former Canadian radio host begins

Former CBC Radio Host Jian Ghomeshi stepped in to his first day of trail for sexual assault Monday morning in Toronto.

The first witness at Jian Ghomeshi’s sexual assault trial says she initially didn’t feel she could complain to police about him.

Ghomeshi, 48, faces sexual assault and one count of choking charges stemming from allegations about his conduct between December 1, 2002, and July 2, 2003. Many things are known but not how the judge (who will try the case alone) will assess the value of the evidence.

‘He didn’t apologize, he didn’t ask if I was OK, ‘ she testified. He also said that while he engaged in “rough sex” and “adventurous forms of sex that included role-play, dominance and submission”, he only participated in sexual practices that were “mutually agreed upon, consensual, and exciting for both partners”.

After a lengthy discussion on media access to exhibits in the case, the Crown called its first witness, who described an incident that occurred while she was on a date with Ghomeshi.

The woman, then 41, had met Ghomeshi at a Christmas party and he invited her to a taping of one of his shows. He is the former host of “Q”, a popular radio show on culture that was heard across Canada and on many public stations in the U.S.

“Q” producer, Kathryn Borel, requested assistance from her union, alleging Ghomeshi’s sexual and emotional abuse which reportedly began back in 2007, CBC said. The two flirted and kissed until Ghomeshi moved behind her and jerked her hair with force that brought her to her knees.

The former CBC host’s file is the latest in a series of high-profile cases that have earned Marie Henein a reputation as a clever and tireless defence lawyer who leaves no stone unturned in preparing for trial, said Jonathan Rosenthal, a Toronto criminal lawyer.

The woman said she didn’t go to police at the time because she didn’t think a complaint would go anywhere.

“Trailer Park Boys” actress Lucy DeCoutere agrees to be identified in connection with her allegations against Ghomeshi.

The Ghomeshi controversy exploded in October 2014, when the CBC fired its radio star saying it had seen “graphic evidence” he had physically injured a woman.

Henein also said the witness had reported a “false memory” in an email to police when she told investigators that Ghomeshi may have slammed her head against a window during the first alleged assault. The choking count carries the steepest penalty, with the possibility of years in prison.

The musician, writer and CBS broadcaster, who used to play for folk-pop band, Moxy Fruvous, was charged with four counts of sexual assault in 2014, after a total of 15 women and one man came forward with their accusations.

DeCoutere accused Ghomeshi of choking her “to the point she could not breathe” and slapping her “hard three times on the side of her head”.