Tag: sex assault

Army Vet Convicted of Sex Assault Murder of Elderly Neighbor in Garden Grove

A 36-year-old U.S. Army veteran was convicted on July 20 of fatally beating a 68-year-old neighbor during an attempted rape in Garden Grove nearly six years ago. Michael Aon Varela was convicted of murder with a special circumstance allegation of murder during an attempted rape. It was Mr. Varela’s second trial. A previous jury deadlocked…


Trial Ordered for Man Accused in 78-Year-Old’s Sex Assault at San Diego Church

SAN DIEGO—A man accused of sexually assaulting a 78-year-old woman at a Mira Mesa church was ordered May 1 to stand trial on charges of assault with intent to commit rape and dissuading a witness. Hugo Jonathan Espinoza-Martinez, 27, is accused of assaulting the woman on Nov. 25, 2022, at Summit Point Church on Rickert…


Pope Says Not Enough Evidence to Open Sex Assault Probe Against Quebec Cardinal

There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Pope Francis said Thursday. The pontiff issued his statement through Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office. Allegations of sexual assault against Ouellet are part of a class-action lawsuit formally filed this week…


MP Kevin Vuong Fined for Failing to Report Sex Assault Charge to Naval Reserve

Kevin Vuong, a Toronto member of Parliament and naval reservist, has been fined $500 for failing to tell the Royal Canadian Navy about a 2019 sexual assault charge. Naval Reserve spokesman Lt. Robert Moore says Vuong at a summary trial in Montreal admitted to the charge of failing to report an arrest. A summary trial…


Quebec Victims Group Surprised After Man Gets Conditional Discharge for Sex Assault

A crime victims advocacy group expressed concern on Tuesday after a Quebec man was granted a conditional discharge in a sexual assault case, in part because the judge felt a conviction could damage the man’s career. Marie-Christine Villeneuve of Crime Victims Assistance Centres says she worries the light sentence may be discouraging to victims and…


Ex-PQ Leader André Boisclair’s Sex Assault Cases Returning to Court

Former Parti Québécois leader André Boisclair’s criminal cases on allegations of sexual assault are due back in court today. Boisclair, 56, has pleaded not guilty to charges in separate cases involving two alleged victims whose identities are covered by a publication ban. In one case, Boisclair is charged with sexual assault with the participation of…


Cross-Examination Continues for Complainant in Jacob Hoggard Sex Assault Trial

Cross-examination is expected to continue today for a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard when she was a teenager. Hoggard has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm and one of sexual interference, a charge that relates to the sexual touching of someone under…


Jury Selection Underway at Sex Assault Trial for Hedley Frontman Jacob Hoggard

Jury selection has begun this morning at the sex assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard. Hoggard, the frontman for the rock band Hedley, was charged in 2018 with sexual assault causing bodily harm and sexual interference in connection with alleged incidents involving a woman and a teenager. He pleaded not guilty to the charges…


Peter Nygard’s Montreal Criminal Case on Sex Assault Charge Put Off Until May 25

Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard’s sexual assault and forcible confinement case in Quebec will return to a Montreal courtroom at the end of May. Nygard’s presence was not required today as his case was heard briefly before a judge in Montreal. Lawyers agreed to push the case to May 25 to give his legal team…


Fortin Sex Assault Case Scheduled for Two Days in September

OTTAWA—Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin’s sexual assault case will go to trial in September. Two days were set aside for the trial during a brief, virtual courtroom hearing this morning, five months after the senior military officer once tasked with overseeing Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination drive was charged. The Sept. 19-20 trial will be held in a Gatineau…