Jian Ghomeshi trial to begin in Toronto Monday

[d_jedi]

I'm not quite sure what to believe in this case. It's been sensationalized in the media so much.
Certain things can look really bad to outside observers, but may be completely consensual (ex. choking, spanking, etc.).

So is this a case where JG uses his power and position to lure unsuspecting victims to satisfy his sexual desires?
Or is this a case of jilted ex-lovers wanting payback, knowing that certain acts that were consensual but also aggressive could be portrayed very easily as sexual assault/rape?

We know that many of these women did not report these incidents for many years. Why is that? We also know that some of these women, after being attacked by JG, continued to go out with him. Why would they do that? The women aren't on trial here, and there may be perfectly valid reasons for doing things the way they did.. but that part of it is very curious to me.

All in all, JG is presumed innocent. Anyone who's watched Making A Murderer knows the danger of trying and convicting someone through the media. But if JG did what he's alleged to have done, he deserves to go to jail for a long time.

 

[MattRoxx]

I feel bad for the women who will testify, Ghomeshi's defense attorney is going to be almost as brutal as his dating habits.

We know that many of these women did not report these incidents for many years. Why is that? We also know that some of these women, after being attacked by JG, continued to go out with him. Why would they do that? The women aren't on trial here, and there may be perfectly valid reasons for doing things the way they did.. but that part of it is very curious to me.

Similar situation and questions with Bill Cosby's accusers.

 

[Calgacus]

First witness for the Crown

 

[SkyRider]

Marie Henein's strategy is quite obvious now. She is trying to test the reliability of the accuser's memory by asking minute detailed questions. Apparently, here are two of the questions she asked the accuser to-day.

1) Did you wear hair extensions on the first date?

2) What was the model of Jian's car?

 

[SchlongConery]

I'm not quite sure what to believe in this case. It's been sensationalized in the media so much.

Don't believe much of what you read in the paper. Their job is to sell the next paper and controversy and overplaying the juicy drama is how they get you to click or buy the paper.

Simple:

Ghomeshi tried a bit of BDSM face slapping, hair pulling etc as the first step in his patented seduction routine. A few of the girls didn't like it but let it slide...until they heard of many other girls he was violent with before asking if they are into him slapping them in the face.

If I go out with a TERB buddy for dinner and, just for fun, punch him in the face when we shake hands after a beer, or put him in a serious chokehold,that is assault. I need your advance permission to start even a "play fight" otherwise it is a criminal act.

 

[SchlongConery]

Marie Henein's strategy is quite obvious now. She is trying to test the reliability of the accuser's memory by asking minute detailed questions. Apparently, here are two of the questions she asked the accuser to-day.

1) Did you wear hair extensions on the first date?

2) What was the model of Jian's car?

Cross Examination 101 <yawn>

So no wonder you are amused!

I have dated girls 10 years ago who don't know what car I drove. Many men and women don't give a shit, don't notice or don't care so long as it is nice.

Hair extension pulling hurts more I understand. But again... except to try to discredit the minutae of he detail of trivial matters 13x years ago..., I think it is perfunctory cross. But she likely has an elaborate strategy that will come out in the next four months. Going to br very tough, given what we know.

 

[GameBoy27]

Apparently the first witness said she agreed to back to his car which she said was a yellow VW Beetle. According to JG lawyer, he owned a different coloured VW GTI at the time. The witness's recollection of the event was based on her feeling safe getting in his car because it was a cute yellow "Disney" car.

If the trigger for her memory was a yellow Beetle, how could she be so wrong. Now JG did own a yellow Beetle but not until after the alleged assault. Let's see how the prosecution spins this one. Sounds a little odd to me.

 

[SkyRider]

According to JG lawyer, he owned a different coloured VW GTI at the time. The witness's recollection of the event was based on her feeling safe getting in his car because it was a cute yellow "Disney" car.

If the trigger for her memory was a yellow Beetle, how could she be so wrong. Now JG did own a yellow Beetle but not until after the alleged assault. Let's see how the prosecution spins this one. Sounds a little odd to me.

This tactic of asking irrelevant minute detail might work with a jury but I think unlikely with an experienced judge.

 

[SkyRider]

the most interesting thing to be determined by this case is whether or not it will be legal to consent to bdsm acts like getting punched in the face. the SCC has already ruled that we can't consent to non-trivial bodily harm (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_v_Jobidon),

Jian has already admitted to "rough sex". The question is whether it was consensual or not and if consensual, as you said, whether it meets the definition of "legal",

1) Jian has already admitted to "rough" sex.

2) Was it consensual?

3) Even if consensual is it the "rough" within legal bounds (as you mentioned in your post)?

 

[IM469]

We know that many of these women did not report these incidents for many years. Why is that? We also know that some of these women, after being attacked by JG, continued to go out with him. Why would they do that? The women aren't on trial here, and there may be perfectly valid reasons for doing things the way they did.. but that part of it is very curious to me.

Similar situation and questions with Bill Cosby's accusers.

Bill Cosby drugged and raped unsuspecting women who feared repercussions of filing charges against a beloved star. I don't think their 'situations' are similar at all.

 

[SkyRider]

Damn emails! Damn string bikini photo!

If it was intended as "bait", at least tell somebody at the time that it was bait. Otherwise, people will think you just made up the "bait" story 10 minutes ago.

 

[james t kirk]

Christie Blatchford really wrote an excellent column about the inconsistencies of the first witness.

If this is the best they've got, JG should walk in a heart beat.

Please tell me that they have something more.

 

[SkyRider]

Christie Blatchford really wrote an excellent column about the inconsistencies of the first witness.

If this is the best they've got, JG should walk in a heart beat.

Please tell me that they have something more.

I need to see the string bikini. They can photoshop out her head.

 

[mandrill]

Christie Blatchford really wrote an excellent column about the inconsistencies of the first witness.

If this is the best they've got, JG should walk in a heart beat.

Please tell me that they have something more.

So far, I am even starting to feel sorry for Ghomeshi. The first Crown witness fits the casting call for vengeful, wacko ex-lover to a "t".

Looks like the case is collapsing already.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Wasn't the fact he drove a yellow VW beetle the first warning sign??

 

[GPIDEAL]

I think if he's found not guilty, he should count his blessings and slither away and keep his mouth shut. Last time he opened his mouth (facebook), he got himself in a whole heap of trouble.

He is going to be broke, or be his lawyer's bitch.

 

[GPIDEAL]

So far, I am even starting to feel sorry for Ghomeshi. The first Crown witness fits the casting call for vengeful, wacko ex-lover to a "t".

Looks like the case is collapsing already.

There was a criminal defense attorney on John Oakley show this morning who talked at length about such witnesses and how problematic it can become.

So far, no slam dunk against Ghomeshi (not that I'm a fan of his).

 

[AK-47]

Christie Blatchford really wrote an excellent column about the inconsistencies of the first witness.

If this is the best they've got, JG should walk in a heart beat.

Please tell me that they have something more.

Agreed. They're gonna need videotapes or something like that. This he said vs. she said will go nowhere at this rate

 

[d_jedi]

There was a criminal defense attorney on John Oakley show this morning who talked at length about such witnesses and how problematic it can become.

So far, no slam dunk against Ghomeshi (not that I'm a fan of his).

The credibility of the first witness was very badly damaged on cross examination. You have to give some amount of leeway as these are (supposedly) traumatic events that happened more than 10 years ago.. but the holes in the witness' testimony make it very likely JG will not be convicted on the first two charges against him.

 

[AK-47]

Maybe he really is innocent, and all these girls are jilted ex-lovers.

I said MAYBE