The sexual assault trial of Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson has faced a significant development as defense lawyers indicated the possibility of a mistrial. The incident occurred during testimony on Thursday, where defense attorney Leora Shemesh raised objections against the prosecution's line of questioning.
Thompson, a Scarborough councillor and former deputy mayor, is confronting two counts of sexual assault. These charges are related to allegations of inappropriate touching directed at two women during a gathering at a cottage in Muskoka over the 2022 Canada Day long weekend.
During Thursday's proceedings, Thompson testified under cross-examination, firmly denying any allegations of wrongdoing. He stated that the cottage weekend was meant to be a casual getaway with friends, contrasting with the characterization provided by one of the complainants, who described it as a professional networking event.
During her questioning, Crown prosecutor Mareike Newhouse suggested that Thompson had invited the two women to the cottage with sexual intentions, a claim that Thompson categorically rejected. He asserted that he had no romantic or sexual interest in the women and did not exert any pressure for them to accompany him on the trip.
The courtroom atmosphere intensified as Thompson's defense team objected to the direction of Newhouse's questioning. They argued that a particular witness, who had previously testified as a fellow guest, was now being portrayed as a complainant, which was not in line with earlier presentations of the case. The defense maintained that there had been no prior indications that the Crown would suggest Thompson harbored sexual attraction towards this specific witness.
This unexpected shift in the prosecution's line of questioning caught the defense off guard. They contended that the new direction was outside the scope of what they had prepared to address, leading to heightened tensions in the courtroom. Consequently, the cross-examination was paused to give both sides an opportunity to reevaluate their strategies and positions in light of the unfolding situation.
Shemesh is now contemplating the possibility of filing a preemptive motion for mistrial. Crown prosecutor Newhouse has already voiced her opposition to such a motion, indicating the contentious nature of the proceedings.
The court is set to reconvene on Friday in Barrie to discuss the potential mistrial motion and the implications of the defense’s objections. The evolving dynamics of the trial highlight the intricate and often contentious nature of legal proceedings in high-profile cases.
