Canadian radio star Jian Ghomeshi acquitted of sexual assault

Former Canadian radio star and CBC broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi was acquitted Thursday of all charges in a trial over three women's accusations against him, including four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcoming resistance by choking dating back to 2002 and 2003. Judge William Horkins declared Ghomeshi, 48, not guilty after Ghomeshi's lawyer shredded the credibility of the witness testimony by highlighting inconsistencies and accusing the women of lying under oath.

Horkins agreed that the omissions in the testimony undermined the case against Ghomeshi, citing in particular emails that one woman sent to him months after he allegedly attacked her. Ghomeshi did not testify at trial and the defense did not present evidence.

This trial marks the first of two for Ghomeshi. He will return to court in June to face a former CBC employee's allegations of assault.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up