A new 14-member jury has been selected in the sexual assault trial involving five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team, following a mistrial declared just days after proceedings began.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia announced the mistrial on Friday morning in London, Ontario, and discharged the original jury without providing a reason, which is under a publication ban. The newly selected jury includes nine women and five men, two of whom are alternates. The new trial is scheduled to begin Monday.
The accused — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote — have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault. McLeod faces an additional charge of being a party to the offence.
The case relates to an alleged incident in June 2018 in London during a Hockey Canada event. The complainant, who was 20 at the time, is protected under a publication ban and cannot be identified.
The first trial began Wednesday but was quickly paused after the prosecution’s opening witness briefly took the stand. Legal discussions then proceeded without the jury present.
Vancouver-based criminal lawyer Michael Shapray called the mistrial “shocking” and noted that such decisions are rare. He explained that a mistrial means the current trial process is no longer valid and must restart with a new jury.
Shapray highlighted the challenges of rescheduling, given the logistics of assembling a new jury and coordinating court schedules. He also expressed sympathy for the complainant, emphasizing the emotional toll of preparing to testify again.
The trial was initially expected to last about eight weeks.
