The alleged victim of Harold LeBel hesitated to file a complaint “for fear of causing trouble” and because he was a very popular personality, she said on Tuesday. “There was no figure more consensual than that,” she explained in the context of the trial for sexual assault of the former deputy, in Rimouski. “I didn’t want to cause waves. »
The woman claims that the events took place in the fall of 2017, when she was staying in the condo of the former PQ member with a colleague. They were passing through the region for professional reasons and Harold Lebel, a friend, had agreed to host them for two nights.
The anonymity of the alleged victim in this case is protected by a judge’s order. Provided for in the Criminal Code, this precaution is almost “systematically rendered in sexual assault cases”, also notes Sophie Gagnon, general manager of Juripop.
Before the jurors, the complainant recounted having been taken by “surprise” when the accused touched her thighs after a discussion that had stretched until 12:30 a.m. or 1 a.m. “I kind of pulled back, and I said, ‘Listen, I’m tired. I’m going to take my shower and I’m going to go to bed. “However, according to her statements, Harold LeBel then followed her and tried to open the door of the bathroom which she had locked.
The small apartment they were in had only one bedroom, and the other woman who had gone to bed earlier was there. The alleged victim went to settle in the Murphy bed in the living room, where the accused joined him. She said she suffered unwanted touching throughout the night and remained motionless.
It was only three years later, in October 2020, that she filed a complaint in the case. In her testimony, she explained that she initially preferred to keep the events quiet because of the popularity of the accused, in particular. “I didn’t want to cause any trouble,” she said, noting that she was also concerned that her credibility would be questioned. ” Everyone loves him. Everyone appreciates it. »
Harold LeBel’s trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday morning with cross-examination of the plaintiff by defense attorney Mr.e Max Roy.
Notice to jurors
The trial of the former member for Rimouski takes place before a jury, a rare event for this type of case. “It is the accused who chooses to hold his trial before a judge alone or before a jury,” notes the director of Juripop. “Generally, in cases of sexual assault, the accused will opt for a judge alone. »
In his instructions, Judge Serge Francoeur invited the jurors not to approach the evidence with “unjustified assumptions about what is or is not a sexual assault”, in particular. “There is no typical victim or typical aggressor, typical situation or typical reaction,” he insisted.
The trial jury is made up of 14 people while only 12 of them will have to agree on a verdict. Judge Francoeur said Monday that he had selected two more jurors to ensure that the jury is complete even if some of its members contract COVID-19 by the end of the proceedings.