Ben Johnson sex assault verdict expected in October
A former member of the Windsor Spitfires will learn this fall if he will be convicted of sexual assault.
Ben Johnson has been on trial for the alleged sexual assault of a woman in the washroom of a Windsor bar more than two years ago.
Closing arguments wrapped at Johnson's trial on Thursday.
The Crown said Thursday that the judge must decide between two versions of events — the one provided by the woman who was allegedly assaulted and the other by Johnson.
The woman alleges that she and a friend had been in a washroom stall. The friend left and Johnson allegedly entered the stall while she was still there. That's when the woman alleges that Johnson, whose zipper was undone, asked her to touch his genitals. She said that she rejected this request, but Johnson forced her hand to make contact with him.
Johnson has said that he went into the men's washroom where two other men were using urinals.
He said that he tried to use a stall, where he found two women inside.
Johnson has claimed he made a derogatory comment under his breath about the women as they left the stall.
The Crown said that Johnson has lied about what happened.
Johnson's lawyer, meanwhile, said that there are inconsistencies in what the witnesses have said.
The defence has also pointed to the fact that the Crown did not directly ask Johnson if he forced the woman to touch his genitals.
The judge said she expects to have a decision in the case on Oct. 30.
