Canadian singer Jacob Hoggard is “disappointed” with the guilty verdict handed down on Sunday in connection with his sexual assault case, according to a statement from his lawyer.
Hedley’s former leader was found guilty of raping an Ottawa woman in 2016, but not guilty of touching and raping a teenage fan the same year, acquittal attorney Megan Savard said Hoggard she was “grateful.”
“While the verdict is not what Mr. Hoggard expected, we thank the jury for their diligence and careful attention, and for recognizing that the evidence in some respects was too fragile and dangerous to support a conviction.” , Savard said in a statement sent to CP24.
Savard said Hoggard leans on his wife, friends and family during what he described as a “deeply challenging moment” for the disgraced musician.
He also hinted that Hoggard could appeal the conviction, saying the case is “far from over.” He said the “new issues” that arose during the court proceedings “will benefit from the attention of the Court of Appeal”.
On Monday, Ontario Superior Court Judge Gillian Roberts imposed stricter bail conditions on Hoggard, as “the prospect of a long prison sentence significantly increases the incentive to flee.”
As such, Hoggard must live in his home in Vancouver or another court-approved address and be home between 10:00 and 6:00 p.m. He must remain in BC, except for court appearances in Toronto. You will be asked to perform periodic checks and random compliance checks. Hoggard is also prohibited from contacting any of the complainants in the case.
He will have to abide by these conditions until the verdict is handed down, which is expected to happen this summer.
READ MORE: Hoggard convicted of sexual assault on woman, acquitted of two other charges
Meanwhile, Hoggard faces a separate charge of sexual assault that caused bodily harm in another incident that allegedly took place in June 2016 in Kirkland Lake, Ont.
Hoggard has denied the charge and plans to plead not guilty.
“Mr. Hoggard is keen to defend himself against the pending indictment, “Savard said.
With files from The Canadian Press