Ghomeshi trial moves to final submissions

TORONTO — The sexual assault trial of former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi moves to closing submissions on Thursday after a final day of evidence, when the Crown introduced testimony from a fourth and final woman.

That testimony came in the form of a police statement made by Trailer Park Boys actress Sarah Dunsworth in November 2014. Dunsworth is a friend of Lucy DeCoutere, who also starred on the TV show made in Halifax and is the only one of Ghomeshi’s accusers to give up her right to anonymity.

The Crown said Dunsworth’s statement would corroborate DeCoutere’s allegations against Ghomeshi, 48, and put to rest claims by the defence that DeCoutere’s actions were motivated by a desire for fame and notoriety.

Dunsworth told a Halifax police officer she had known DeCoutere since 2000 and had formed a “really close friendship” that went beyond working together.

“She described an incident in which she had gone to his house and that he had ended up putting his hands on her neck and choking her,” Dunsworth told police, according to the statement. “We talked about the fact that they hadn’t discussed it beforehand or that it wasn’t part of any kind of like sex play.”

Court also heard on Wednesday that DeCoutere had told Dunsworth over Facebook that police wanted to speak with her in an effort to corroborate her story.

On Thursday, the Crown and the defence will highlight key evidence heard in court and summarize their core arguments for Justice William Horkins, who will decide Ghomeshi’s fate.

Ghomeshi, as the accused, had no obligation to testify. He has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and choking charges and has maintained his silence ever since being arrested in November 2014.

Ghomeshi acknowledged in October 2014 that he engaged in rough sex acts, but said it was consensual.

His trial heard from three women who were behind the allegations.

The first complainant, whose name is protected by a publication ban, testified that Ghomeshi suddenly yanked on her hair when they were kissing in his car in December 2002 and then a few days later abruptly pulled her hair while they were kissing in his home and then punched her in the head.

The second complainant, DeCoutere, told court that she was with Ghomeshi in his bedroom in 2003 when he suddenly pushed her against a wall, started choking her and slapping her face while they were kissing.

The third woman, who also cannot be named, testified that while kissing Ghomeshi in a park in 2003, he suddenly bit her shoulder and started squeezing her neck with her hands.