Accused won't testify, as closing arguments set for tomorrow
The Crown in the sexual assault trial of Jian Ghomeshi will begin its final submissions on Thursday, as the defence team for the former CBC host chose not to present any evidence or call any witnesses, including their client, to testify in the case.
The Crown rested its case on Wednesday after submitting a transcript of a statement from Sarah Dunsworth, an actress and friend of Lucy DeCoutere, one of the three complainants.
DeCoutere had testified that the former Q host had choked and slapped her at his home.
According to the transcript, Dunsworth said DeCoutere called her about a week after the alleged assault. She said DeCoutere told her that she and Ghomeshi had gone out on a date and that he had "ended up putting his hands on her neck and choking her." Dunsworth did not mention anything about the alleged slapping.
Dunsworth said DeCoutere asked her if she thought that was normal, to which Dunsworth replied, "It's really not normal." She said DeCoutere told her she and Ghomeshi had not previously discussed that kind of "sex play."
From my viewpoint, Ghomeshi can only hurt his by testifying.