Jian Ghomeshi Found Not Guilty On All Counts: Here’s What We’re Reading Today

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Here’s what we’re reading today.

1. What really went wrong in the prosecution’s case

“Nothing Henein unearthed or presented to the court was categorically inconsistent with the complainants’ testimony that Ghomeshi sexually assaulted them. And none of the complainants’ behaviour after the alleged sexual assaults, revealed to the court, was unusual, as both Henein and Callaghan made clear. It was their prevaricating and withholding of information that damaged their credibility and reliability.”

2. Based on the evidence, “not guilty” was the only possible outcome

“Ontario Court Justice William Horkins would have had to overlook no fewer than a dozen major, glaring inconsistencies in testimony — along with a handful of what he assessed to be deliberate lies — from the women on which the entire case was based. There was no physical evidence: no pictures taken after the alleged assaults, no hospital records, no DNA.” The National Post’s Robyn Urback explores why Justice Horkins came to his verdict.

3. How our legal system failed these women

“The women who took the stand had their voices discredited and their memories questioned. In closing arguments, the women were painted as liars, when in fact we know trauma colours our memory in all kinds of ways, but never inventing nor imagining it.” Indeed, the criminal justice system is in many ways dangerous to women.

+1: “But in the Ghomeshi case, un-prepared witnesses and a lack of expert evidence has reinforced fears associated with reporting.”

+1: Nine rape myths that loom over Canada’s legal system.

4. “What I wish I knew before testifying”

In two stories, Chatelaine’s Sarah Boesveld spoke with two of the three complainants about their experiences on the stand. Boesveld speaks with the first complainant, known only to the trial as Witness One, who gave a first-person account of her experience in court. Lucy Decoutere also spoke with Chatelaine, expressing her disappointment with the verdict.

5. CBC stands behind its decision to fire Ghomeshi

Ghomeshi still faces a second trial set to begin in June. The suit has been brought forward by just one woman and should revolve around his conduct while at the CBC.

TAGS:

CBC,Jian Ghomeshi