Overview

• Justice Maria Carroccia is reviewing the Crown's application to cross-examine Brett Howden on inconsistencies in his testimony and admit his 2018 text messages as evidence.
• The messages include a text where Howden described Dillon Dubé allegedly slapping the complainant's buttocks, which the Crown argues supports the complainant's account.
• Howden, a witness and former teammate of the accused, became emotional during questioning about the texts, citing stress over explaining the situation to his family and girlfriend.
• The trial, now judge-alone, focuses on allegations that five former Hockey Canada players sexually assaulted a woman in a London, Ontario hotel room in 2018.
• The court's decision on the admissibility of Howden's texts is expected soon and could shape the presentation of evidence going forward.