Carter Hart and Teammates Acquitted in High-Profile Hockey Trial
The courtroom was packed and the air was tense on July 24, 2025, as Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia delivered her verdict in a case that has gripped the nation for years. Five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team — Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote — were acquitted of all charges in a sexual assault trial that stemmed from an incident in London, Ontario, back in 2018.
The trial, marked by delays and national scrutiny, revolved around allegations made by a woman, identified in court as E.M., who claimed she was sexually assaulted by multiple players in a hotel room after a Hockey Canada event. Justice Carroccia's decision, however, emphasized a lack of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and raised serious concerns about the complainant’s credibility and reliability.
As she read the decision, Carroccia stated she had found evidence of actual consent and said that E.M.’s testimony was inconsistent, at times exaggerated, and marked by memory gaps filled with assumptions. In one striking comment, the judge noted that E.M. frequently referred to her statements as “her truth” rather than “the truth,” and this distinction weighed heavily in her assessment of the testimony.
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Family members of the players, including Hart’s, were visibly emotional as the not-guilty verdicts were read. After enduring over a year of public speculation and intense media coverage, the players walked free. For Hart and the others, the verdict was not just a legal vindication, but a long-awaited release from the shadow of accusation that had followed them since the charges were laid in early 2024.
Still, the case has reignited a broader national conversation. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators voiced support for E.M., holding signs that read, “We believe E.M.” and chanting for accountability. Many Canadians are now reflecting not just on the case itself, but on what it reveals about how sexual assault is prosecuted, the challenges of proving such allegations in court, and the standards required for conviction.
Crown prosecutor Meaghan Cunningham issued a respectful statement acknowledging E.M.’s bravery and saying the decision would be reviewed, with an appeal still possible. Meanwhile, E.M.'s lawyer, Karen Bellehumeur, said the process had taken a heavy toll on her client, who testified for nine days and faced aggressive cross-examination.
From the players’ side, there was a mix of relief and quiet outrage. Lawyers representing the accused criticized the Crown for pursuing a case they felt was fueled by public pressure and political optics. Alex Formenton’s lawyer described the past seven years as a “dark cloud” over his client’s life, and expressed hope that this case would not undermine legitimate efforts to address and prevent sexual violence in Canadian sports.
The case — and Carter Hart’s involvement in particular — has underscored the difficult balance between ensuring justice for complainants and upholding the legal standard of presumed innocence. For now, Hart and his former teammates are acquitted. But the larger conversation about culture, consent, and accountability in hockey and beyond is far from over.
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