The complainant in the Harold Lebel sexual assault trial had to return to court on Monday to explain her participation in a documentary. This addition of evidence comes when the jury had to deliberate.
The defendant’s lawyer, Mr.e Maxime Roy, was surprised that the plaintiff never mentioned this documentary during the trial. In his view, this is yet another example of the lack of “sincerity” of his testimony.
He recalled “all the efforts made” to protect the anonymity of the complainant so far, being surprised that she agreed to “be filmed” during a filming scheduled for the beginning of 2023.
Me Roy said he learned about the film project on Wednesday when the evidence was closed. Judge Serge Francoeur had to proceed with a “reopening of the investigation” in order to allow the complainant to come and answer new questions from the lawyers.
In her new testimony, the latter put forward that the film would be broadcast after the verdict. “She chose to collaborate on a documentary […] to demystify the justice system and allow others to understand how it works,” pleaded the prosecution’s lawyer, Ms.e Manon Gaudreault.
Former MP Harold Lebel, 60, pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault for actions taken in 2017 in Rimouski. The identity of the woman who filed the complaint against him must be kept confidential under a court order.
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