Ontario Court Justice Philip Brissette delivered the verdict in Midland, ruling that the Crown had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Thompson, 65, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault related to incidents at a cottage in Port Carling involving two women whose identities are protected by a publication ban.

One woman had alleged Thompson touched her inappropriately while applying sunscreen on the dock. The other said he forced her to perform a sexual act in the middle of the night. Both testified that alcohol and marijuana were present throughout the weekend.

Brissette said the complainants and a third female guest testified “in an open and forthright manner” but expressed concerns about their sobriety and ability to reliably recall events, particularly regarding timing, consent, and physical interactions.

“There are too many significant reliability concerns,” the judge said in his decision. He noted one complainant “admitted blackouts in key parts of the sexual assault allegation,” and found Thompson’s account of the events to be “fairly reliable” and unaffected by impairment.

While Thompson denied any sexual misconduct, he acknowledged applying sunscreen with permission and described a later encounter as consensual. Brissette said he believed Thompson’s “firm and clear denial” on the sunscreen allegation, but expressed reservations about some aspects of his testimony, including his claim that none of the women appeared intoxicated.

“I have a hard time accepting that he didn’t see any signs of intoxication,” Brissette said, referring to testimony that Thompson had purchased tequila and observed the women drinking wine after hours in the sun.

Outside court, Thompson said he was relieved. “I had to go through almost three years of hell,” he said. “I just want to get on with my life.”

Thompson also claimed the prosecution was politically motivated, stating, “There are forces, and I am aware as to who they are, who have created this condition and situation.”

Defence lawyer Leora Shemesh said she was “incredibly delighted with the verdict,” calling it “a long, very torturous process.” She added: “I’m glad that he can go home today and believe that the justice system does work and it does work well.”

Thompson has served as a city councillor since 2003 and represents Scarborough Centre (Ward 21). He was re-elected in 2022 after being charged. Asked whether he intends to run again, he said he has not decided.

The Crown had argued Thompson used his status as a public official — then serving as one of Toronto’s deputy mayors — to lure the guests under the guise of a networking opportunity. The defence denied that, characterizing the allegations as “a witch hunt” and suggesting the women’s testimonies were inconsistent and uncorroborated.

Mayor Olivia Chow issued a brief statement following the verdict, saying she “respects the court’s decision.”

The post Michael Thompson Acquitted Of Sexual Assault In Muskoka Cottage Trial appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Ontario government is safeguarding fish populations in Lake Simcoe by ensuring individuals follow the legal catch and retain limits.

The post Man Pleads Guilty To Catching And Retaining 22 Yellow Perch Over The Legal Limit On Lake Simcoe appeared first on Muskoka411.

Mark Sethi, 58, appeared by counsel in the Ontario Court of Justice, where his lawyer confirmed there are 13 separate case files — or informations — now active. These include both summary and indictable charges.

Sethi faces a series of sexual assault-related charges, including allegations dating back to 1999 and others connected to an incident in a Muskoka Taxi vehicle in 2023. Police have also laid at least one charge of committing an indecent act.

During Tuesday’s case management session, defence lawyer Domenic Basile said he expects to be able to propose trial dates for most of the matters at the next appearance, following discussions with Crown counsel.

The court scheduled a return appearance for July 21 at 2 p.m. in trial scheduling court. Some of the matters are expected to proceed to the Ontario Superior Court.

The case has remained in case management for several months, in part due to a change in Sethi’s legal representation after his previous lawyer withdrew, citing unpaid fees.

Sethi did not attend the case management proceeding, and the court issued a discretionary bench warrant allowing the matter to continue in his absence. Defence counsel is expected to file a formal designation of representation before the next court date.

At least some of the informations are subject to publication bans under the Criminal Code, which prohibit the release of details that could identify complainants.

Taxi Driver Charged With Sexual Assault In Gravenhurst

The post Muskoka Taxi Owner’s Case Heads To Trial Scheduling Next Month appeared first on Muskoka411.

Thompson, 65, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault stemming from allegations by two women who joined him at a Muskoka cottage on Acton Island over the Canada Day weekend in 2022. The trial began in Bracebridge last fall and has since moved through multiple jurisdictions due to scheduling conflicts.

The Crown and defence presented sharply opposing accounts of the events and the credibility of the witnesses. Crown attorney Mareike Newhouse said Thompson molested one complainant while applying sunscreen and sexually assaulted another during a late-night encounter. She said the three Crown witnesses — the two complainants and a third woman who attended the cottage — were credible and consistent enough to support the allegations, despite some variations in their testimony.

Newhouse argued Thompson exaggerated his testimony and prioritized his public image over telling the truth, describing him as “rehearsed,” “robotic,” and “disingenuous.” She said the accused misrepresented the level of intoxication at the cottage and disputed his claim that any sexual contact was consensual. According to the Crown, one complainant had clearly said “no” multiple times during the alleged late-night incident.

Defence lawyer Leora Shemesh countered that the Crown failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. She accused all three women of fabricating their allegations, calling their testimonies inconsistent and unreliable. Shemesh alleged the complainants conspired to misrepresent events and described the case as a “witch hunt” driven by personal motivations.

Shemesh said Thompson provided a straightforward, consistent account of what occurred and denied any wrongdoing. The defence maintained that any sexual activity was consensual and that the Crown failed to establish a motive for Thompson to lie.

Thompson has served on Toronto City Council since 2003, representing Ward 21, Scarborough Centre.

The post Judge To Deliver Verdict In Michael Thompson Sexual Assault Trial In September appeared first on Muskoka411.

“I did not commit any sexual assault that weekend or any other time,” Thompson, 65, testified in a Barrie courtroom.

Thompson has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault involving separate incidents at a cottage on Acton Island. The alleged victims, along with a third woman who is a witness, are protected under a publication ban.

Crown attorney Mareike Newhouse challenged Thompson’s testimony that a sexual encounter with one of the complainants was consensual and initiated by her. She suggested instead that Thompson sought out the woman in the early morning hours, brought her to the basement, and ignored her repeated refusals.

“I’m going to suggest that by the time you got to her room you were all over her physically and she told you ‘no’ — multiple times,” Newhouse said.

“Absolutely not,” Thompson replied.

The complainant has previously testified that she was heavily intoxicated and awoke to Thompson guiding her to a downstairs bedroom, where she said he placed his genitals on her face and ejaculated after she told him she did not want to engage in sexual activity.

Thompson told the court Thursday that he was asleep when the woman, whom he said was not drunk, entered his room naked around 3 a.m. and invited him for a drink. He said the two kissed in the kitchen, then went downstairs where she performed oral sex on him.

He denied trying to initiate intercourse or using force, saying, “She handled herself as she saw fit.”

The Crown also questioned Thompson about the second complainant, who testified earlier that he inappropriately touched her while applying sunscreen. Thompson denied touching her breasts or buttocks, saying she asked him to apply lotion to her back and that he did so briefly and respectfully.

Much of the day’s proceedings focused on Thompson’s conduct toward a university student who attended the cottage weekend as a guest. While she is not a complainant, she previously testified that Thompson encouraged her to drink, made inappropriate suggestions, and tried to impress her.

Newhouse put it to Thompson that he acted with a sexual motive toward the woman. He denied that suggestion, describing himself as a mentor and saying he often helps young people professionally and financially.

“I had no plans to engage in sexual activity with her,” Thompson testified.

His lawyer, Leora Shemesh, objected to the line of questioning, arguing it related to a person not involved in the charges and could amount to inadmissible character evidence. Justice Phillip Brissette allowed the questions, stating they pertained to credibility but expressed caution about their relevance.

The trial is scheduled to resume June 23, when Shemesh will re-examine Thompson before both parties present closing arguments.

The post Thompson Denies Sexual Assault As Crown Completes Cross-Examination appeared first on Muskoka411.

The decision came Friday after defence lawyer Leora Shemesh suggested she might seek a mistrial, citing what she described as a new theory advanced by the Crown late in Thursday’s proceedings.

Ontario Court Justice Phillip Brissette said he was satisfied the Crown’s questioning pertained to credibility and not to introducing new allegations. “I’m certainly satisfied with the direction the Crown wants to go,” he said during a virtual hearing.

The dispute arose during Shemesh’s objection to how Crown attorney Mareike Newhouse questioned Thompson about his interactions with a 22-year-old university student who attended the 2022 Canada Day weekend at a cottage on Acton Island in Muskoka, where the alleged assaults took place.

Thompson, 65, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault involving two other women who attended the same gathering. The student is a witness, not a complainant. All three women’s identities are protected under a publication ban.

During Thursday’s cross-examination in Barrie, Newhouse repeatedly questioned Thompson about his intentions toward the student, including why he offered her a ride home from Yorkville and later invited her to the cottage. “You had known her for at most five days, right?” Newhouse asked. “Yes,” Thompson replied.

Newhouse also presented text messages in which Thompson described the weekend as a chance to “unwind at the cottage,” and suggested he shifted the narrative after initially inviting the woman under the impression it was a networking event. Thompson denied misleading her and said the trip was intended for relaxation, not career advancement.

The exchange grew more contentious when Newhouse suggested Thompson had a sexual interest in the woman, stating he had been “trying to get in her pants.” She later referred to the student as a “victim” before correcting the term.

Shemesh objected, arguing the Crown had not raised these implications during the student’s testimony earlier in the trial and that the defence had no chance to address them at the time. “She is a witness,” Shemesh said in court. “Not a complainant.”

The judge paused proceedings Thursday afternoon to allow counsel to consider their positions. On Friday, following clarification from Newhouse, Brissette ruled the Crown could proceed with cross-examination.

The trial will resume on May 29.

Thompson Denies Assault, Says Sexual Contact Was Consensual

The post Judge Allows Crown To Continue Cross-examining Thompson After Mistrial Concern appeared first on Muskoka411.

Testifying in his own defence, Thompson said he did not pressure anyone to drink alcohol, denied any non-consensual physical contact, and maintained that no guests were inebriated. “Absolutely not,” he said. “I had no agenda.”

The 65-year-old Scarborough Centre councillor has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault. Both complainants’ identities are protected under a publication ban.

Thompson told the Ontario Court of Justice that one of the complainants kissed him, flirted with him throughout the day, and later entered his bedroom naked. He said the woman poured two shots of tequila and led him downstairs, where she performed oral sex on him. Thompson said she stopped partway through, showered, and asked if he had a condom. When he said he didn’t, the encounter ended.

“At any point in your mind, did you believe she was not consenting?” defence lawyer Leora Shemesh asked.

“No,” Thompson replied.

Earlier in the trial, the woman testified that she had been heavily intoxicated, that Thompson woke her up and guided her to another room, and that she repeatedly told him no before he ejaculated on her face and chest.

Addressing the other allegation, Thompson said the complainant had asked him to apply sunscreen on her back while they were on the dock. He said he placed the lotion only on her back and denied touching her buttocks or breasts.

The complainant previously testified that Thompson massaged her under her bathing suit and made her feel uncomfortable, but she said she agreed in the moment to avoid conflict.

Thompson also rejected testimony from another woman, a student who attended the weekend and said he and another guest encouraged her to drink and made inappropriate comments. While she is not one of the complainants, her testimony was used by the Crown to support a pattern of behaviour. Thompson said she became distant after he declined to help her with education expenses and later refused to reimburse her for a concert ticket.

Near the end of the day, Thompson became emotional while recalling the moment he learned about the charges. He said he initially thought it was a prank when contacted by an OPP officer. “I was just literally shocked,” he said, appearing to cry in the witness box.

The judge-alone trial continues today.

The post Thompson Denies Assault, Says Sexual Contact Was Consensual appeared first on Muskoka411.

Testifying in his own defence at his sexual assault trial in Barrie, Thompson, 65, said he invited multiple people to the gathering, including a university student he had recently met, but did not frame the event as career-related.

“I didn’t just invite her,” Thompson told the court. “I invited her brother, her sister, and her mother.”

The six-term councillor has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault stemming from allegations made by two different women, both of whom testified earlier in the trial. One alleges Thompson touched her inappropriately while applying sunscreen. The other says he forced himself on her while she was intoxicated later that night. Their identities are protected by a publication ban.

On Tuesday, Thompson responded to earlier testimony from the student, who is not a complainant but previously told the court he described the trip as a chance to network. She also testified that she felt misled and isolated when other expected guests did not attend.

Thompson testified that he met the woman at a Yorkville art gallery a few weeks before the trip. After a brief conversation, they exchanged phone numbers and later crossed paths again at a nearby bar. He said he offered her a ride home to Richmond Hill after learning she had no other transportation.

During that drive, Thompson said the woman spoke about personal and financial challenges. Before dropping her off, he said he gave her $100 to help cover a cellphone bill. “This is something I naturally do, help someone,” he told the court.

The student previously testified that the money was unsolicited and made her uncomfortable.

In his testimony, Thompson said he had not discussed the cottage weekend during the car ride and did not portray it as a professional event. Asked whether he had promised employment or advancement in exchange for attendance, Thompson replied, “No.”

The Crown closed its case earlier Tuesday after calling three witnesses over the course of the trial, which began in Bracebridge last fall before moving to Barrie. The proceedings are being heard by the Ontario Court of Justice.

Thompson’s testimony is scheduled to continue Wednesday.

The post Thompson Denies Misleading Cottage Guest As Sex Assault Trial Continues appeared first on Muskoka411.

“I just remember not wanting to do it,” the complainant testified, rejecting a defence suggestion that the interaction had been consensual.

Thompson, 65, faces two counts of sexual assault involving separate women during a Canada Day weekend gathering in 2022 at a cottage on Acton Island in Muskoka. Both complainants, whose identities are protected by publication bans, were invited to the event, which they believed would be a professional networking retreat. Thompson has pleaded not guilty.

Defence lawyer Leora Shemesh questioned the woman about inconsistencies in her statements and suggested she had initiated physical contact with Thompson. The complainant rejected those claims, stating she was heavily intoxicated and repeatedly told Thompson “no.”

“There was nothing consensual,” she told the court. “I made it very clear I didn’t want to do anything.”

The woman said she awoke in the middle of the night to Thompson moving her to another bedroom, where she alleges he forced oral sex on her. She testified that her memory of the events was incomplete due to her level of intoxication, but she recalled Thompson rubbing his penis on her face before ejaculating.

The complainant acknowledged giving Thompson her phone number the next day, but said it did not reflect consent. “I was never going to ever talk to him again, so I don’t care,” she told the court.

She also denied a motive for financial gain after Shemesh suggested she had considered a lawsuit. The complainant said any such comment was made in anger and not intended seriously.

Two other women have testified in the judge-alone trial, including one who alleged Thompson touched her inappropriately while applying sunscreen. Both women said they were provided alcohol and marijuana at the gathering.

Thompson, who represents Scarborough Centre and remains on Toronto city council, is expected to testify next week as the defence begins its case. The trial resumes Tuesday before Ontario Court Justice Phillip Brissette.

The post Thompson Accuser Denies Consent In Court As Trial Resumes appeared first on Muskoka411.

Thompson, a longtime councillor for Scarborough Centre and former deputy mayor, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault. The charges stem from allegations by two women who were at the cottage with him over the Canada Day weekend that year.

Testifying in Bracebridge court on Friday, the second complainant said she was heavily intoxicated when Thompson woke her up, led her to a bedroom, and attempted to engage in sexual activity despite her repeatedly telling him “no.”

“I just knew I couldn’t do anything. I was drunk. I didn’t know where I was. I felt trapped,” she told the court.

She testified that Thompson rubbed his penis on her face and neck before ejaculating. She later went to the bathroom to clean herself and returned to bed. The next morning, she said Thompson tried to kiss her and asked for her phone number. She provided it, she said, to avoid confrontation but had no intention of speaking with him again.

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Leora Shemesh suggested the woman was the one who initiated the encounter, woke Thompson, and invited him for drinks. The complainant denied the claim, saying, “Everything you’re saying absolutely did not happen.”

The first complainant, who testified in December, alleged Thompson inappropriately touched her under her bikini while applying sunscreen. Both women’s identities are protected by a publication ban.

The second complainant reported the alleged assault to Ontario Provincial Police on Sept. 8, 2022, after experiencing ongoing distress and fear about potential repercussions due to Thompson’s political influence. She testified that in the days following the alleged assault, she had nightmares and became increasingly paranoid, wondering if Thompson, given his government position, might retaliate. She said she received multiple text messages from him afterward, including one that read: “Thinking of fun times at the cottage.” Concerned about her safety, she hesitated before ultimately deciding to go to the police.

The trial began in October, with further testimony expected in the coming months.

The post Michael Thompson Sexual Assault Trial Hears Testimony From Second Complainant appeared first on Muskoka411.