'Do you hate Jake Virtanen?': Cross-examination of accuser continues in sexual assault trial
A lawyer for former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen questioned his accuser about what she says happened at a hotel in 2017, as she took the stand for a third day in the high-profile sexual assault trial.
Virtanen has been charged with one count of sexual assault involving the alleged victim, who was 18 at the time and is being identified in court by her initials M.S..
After first meeting at the Calgary Stampede in July of that year, the two stayed in contact via text and Instagram and agreed to meet the evening of Sept. 26.
After focusing the first day and a half of his cross-examination on the events leading up to and after the alleged sexual assault, lawyer Brock Martland focused in on the alleged attack itself Wednesday.
M.S. testified she was uncomfortable when Virtanen brought her to his room at The Westin Bayshore. Martland asked her why, if the then Canuck forward was making multiple unwanted advances, she didn’t get up and leave.
M.S. replied: “Because I was frozen. I was numb. I didn’t know what to do.”
Martland said she could have "come up with something to stop things from progressing,” suggesting she could have said "I have a yeast infection" or "I’m menstruating."
This appeared to upset M.S. who replied: “I thought saying no I didn’t want to do this, I seriously don’t want to do this, holding my hands on his hips pushing him off me was enough.”
Martland argued M.S. never said no, and told the court the sexual activity was consensual, saying, “I will suggest that you were both enthusiastic, and actively moving that sexual action along. And that included kissing and touching and it progressed until the two of you together removed your clothing.”
M.S. strongly denied that, insisting Virtanen raped her. She testified that the next morning, he gave her cab fare to get back to her friends home while he went to Canucks practise.
Martland said: “And that made you feel like a sex trade worker.”
M.S. replied, “Essentially, yes. He just tossed a bunch of money at me and left.”
Martland said: “You felt like you’d been used for sex.
M.S. said: “Yeah.”
Three and a half years later, M.S. told her story to a reporter.
Martland said, “By naming him, you knew you bring forward, you instigate an enormous amount of public shaming and anger directed at Mr. Virtanen.”
M.S. agreed, saying, “Yes I assumed so.”
Martland responded “You wanted that.”
M.S. said: “I wanted him to be held accountable, yes. He created this by what he did. Had he accepted no for an answer, I would have left and none of this would have happened.”
Martland asked “Do you hate Jake Virtanen?” And M.S. replied “Honestly, yes.”
Defence also focused on a civil suit that M.S. has brought against Virtanen, suggesting she knows NHL players make a lot of money and she’s after a payday.
M.S. denied that, saying “I don’t even know how much money would come with that.” Martland suggested “It could be millions.” replied “I didn’t know that. And the amount of trauma and stress I have been through isn’t worth any amount of money.
Martland expects to wrap up his cross examination of M.S., who is the sole crown witness, on Thursday. He has not indicated if Virtanen will take the stand in his own defense.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.