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WARNING: This story references sexual assault allegations and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
Defence lawyers for Frank Stronach continue with more witnesses Wednesday in the sex assault trial of the Canadian businessman.
His defence team, which has already called several people to the witness box, is expected to wrap up its case this week, with closing submissions from both the Crown and Stronach’s lawyers to follow.
Stronach’s lawyer, Leora Shemesh, is also seeking a stay of proceedings and will argue the Crown was guilty of an abuse of power, alleging they coached some of the witnesses before the trial.
On Tuesday, court heard from witnesses that included Stronach’s former assistant Jennifer Jackson, who had a condo unit at the same Harbourfront building as her boss.
Jackson, who said she went into his condo weekly just to check on it, told court that “definitely” there were no mirrors on the ceilings of Stronach’s unit.
This seemed at odds with the testimony of the first complainant. She told the court that she remembered waking up in the condo, lying on her back and seeing her face in a dimly lit mirror above her, and realizing she was “being raped” by Stronach.
Only 7 of initial 12 charges remain
Stronach faces a total of seven charges, related to four of the initial seven complainants in the trial.
He initially faced 12 counts but Crown prosecutor Jelena Vlacic has told court that five of those would be withdrawn, as there was no longer a reasonable prospect to convict Stronach on those charges.
The 93-year-old founder of auto-parts giant Magna International has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Last week, the Crown rested its case, having heard from seven women whose allegations against Stronach included sexual assault and the historical charge of rape.
Many of the women told similar stories — meeting Stronach at Rooney’s, the Toronto restaurant he used to own, and then accepting an invitation back to his Harbourfront condo. It’s there where they allege he sexually assaulted them.
The Crown called eight witnesses — the initial seven complainants and the friend and co-worker of the final complainant — to testify.
