(Toronto) The entire case against Peter Nygard is based on a “false narrative” created by plaintiffs whose testimonies are not credible and sometimes “horribly absurd,” the lawyer for the former fashion mogul argued Tuesday, in his final arguments.
Brian Greenspan argued during Nygard’s sexual assault jury trial in Toronto that the Crown’s case was based on “contradictions and insinuations” that do not stand up to the burden of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.” , which is the responsibility of the prosecution. The lawyer argued that much of what was said about his client in court was “a revisionist narrative.”
He asked jurors not to make decisions “based on speculation or suspicion,” which “are no substitute for the evidence” presented at trial.
Nygard, 82, founder of a now-defunct women’s fashion company, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment, relating to events that allegedly occurred place from the 1980s to the mid-2000s.
Several plaintiffs claimed at trial that they had been invited to Nygard’s Toronto headquarters under pretexts ranging from courtesy calls to job interviews. These meetings ended in a room on the top floor, where they claim to have been sexually assaulted by the accused.
Nygard has denied the allegations. Testifying in his own defense, he notably maintained that he did not remember meeting or interacting with four of the five complainants.
During cross-examination, the Crown suggested inconsistencies and contradictions between Nygard’s testimony to police in 2021 and his testimony at trial.
Secrets impossible to keep
Nygard’s attorney said Tuesday that his client was a hard-working businessman who led a very public life. “At the start of this trial, the prosecution attempted, in our view, to present a false narrative, to portray Nygard as an evil predator,” argued Mr.e Greenspan. He argued that this portrayal of the character was “unfair and inaccurate.”
“His life was neither hidden nor secret. Neither do its workspaces. Neither do its houses. Neither did his private quarters, he said. His lifestyle was open and transparent. »
Me Greenspan argued that it would then be “inconceivable that such a public person” would engage in violent sexual misconduct “and bet on the hope” that victims would be too intimidated by his wealth and position in society to report him .
The lawyer went over the details of all the accusations against Nygard, arguing that in each case the complainant’s testimony was not reliable or truthful, sometimes calling specific allegations “pure nonsense.”
He also suggested that some of the plaintiffs were motivated by a class action against Nygard in the United States.
The Crown’s closing arguments were expected to be presented later Tuesday. After hearing instructions from Judge Robert Goldstein, the jury could begin deliberating this week.