Complainant Details Night of Alleged Assault in Hockey Player Sexual Assault Trial

Trial Updates: Cross-Examination Intensifies

The fourth defense lawyer in the hockey player sexual assault trial began questioning the complainant, E.M., on May 13, focusing on her recollection of events in a London, Ontario, hotel room in June 2018. Lisa Carnelos, representing player Dillon Dubé, challenged E.M.’s assertion that she felt trapped and objectified during the alleged assault. Carnelos argued that the men were “celebrating separately” and not fixated on E.M., to which the complainant responded: “I felt like they were discussing what to do to me”.

E.M. recounted attempting to leave the room multiple times but being “guided back” by the accused. When pressed about why she didn’t retrieve her clothing from the bathroom before exiting, she stated, “I didn’t know what to expect… I just came out, and there were more people”.

Room Layout and Exit Accessibility

Carnelos emphasized the hotel suite’s layout, noting the bathroom was closer to the exit than the main bedroom. E.M. agreed but reiterated that the presence of the men made escape feel impossible: “Any time I tried to leave, they walked me back” 1. Defense teams have repeatedly highlighted surveillance footage showing staggered arrivals of players to the hotel, arguing E.M. had opportunities to leave.

“I felt like an object there for their entertainment… They kept laughing at me”
E.M.’s Testimony

Earlier Cross-Examination: Conflicting Accounts

Earlier in the day, Daniel Brown, lawyer for Alex Formenton, questioned E.M. about her interaction with his client. Brown suggested E.M. “pulled Formenton into the bathroom,” contradicting her testimony that she felt “resigned” to the encounter. E.M. conceded, “I don’t recall leading him, but it could be possible”.

This line of questioning mirrors broader defense strategies aiming to portray E.M. as an active participant rather than a victim. Lawyers have cited texts sent to her best friend where E.M. wrote she felt “dirty and used” but later claimed she was “overdramatic” to challenge her credibility.

Emotional Testimony and Coping Mechanisms

E.M. described adopting a “porn-star persona” to survive the alleged assault, a statement defense attorney Megan Savard (representing Carter Hart) framed as evidence of consent. E.M. countered: “I felt numb. It was a role to get through the night” 910. She also denied intentionally misleading investigators, attributing inconsistencies in her statements to trauma and intoxication.

When asked why she didn’t disclose fear in initial police reports, E.M. said, “I bottled it up… I didn’t want to admit how horrible it was”

Broader Context: Hockey Canada Under Scrutiny

The hockey player sexual assault trial is part of a wider reckoning over Hockey Canada’s handling of sexual misconduct. A 2022 report revealed the organization used player fees to settle past assault claims, sparking public outrage 47. The current trial has reignited debates about toxic cultures in elite sports, with critics pointing to a history of normalized misogyny in junior hockey leagues.

Resources for Support:

Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres: casac.ca
24/7 Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

Legal services that offer sexual assault kits in , Ontario, Alberta, B.C., Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia here:

24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010
Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648

Fact Check & Verification

Complainant’s Testimony: CBC News Live Trial Coverage (Updated May 13, 2024).
Defense Cross-Examination Tactics: CTV News Legal Analysis (May 14, 2024).
Hockey Canada’s 2022 Scandal: The Globe and Mail Report (June 2022).
Surveillance Footage Details: The Athletic Trial Breakdown (May 10, 2024).