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Judge Rebukes Crown as Cross-Examination Continues in Frank Stronach Sex-Assault Trial

A judicial rebuke over an admitted lie by the witness sharpens scrutiny of alleged coaching claims.

Overview

  • Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy admonished Crown prosecutor Jelena Vlacic for not correcting the record after the fourth complainant admitted she had lied about reading an op-ed by a woman suing Frank Stronach.
  • The witness apologized for her earlier denial about the op-ed, which she acknowledged discussing at length with the Crown during preparation.
  • Defence lawyer Leora Shemesh continued cross-examination, pressing the complainant on prior statements and a Jan. 20 preparatory meeting with prosecutors that the defence cites in planned arguments for a stay of proceedings.
  • The complainant disputed suggestions she was coached on how to testify and acknowledged memory gaps about parts of the 1983 encounter, rejecting defence assertions that embarrassment explains those gaps.
  • Stronach, 93, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges involving seven complainants, including sexual assault and forcible confinement, with two historical counts of rape and attempted rape; a publication ban protects complainant identities.