WARNING: Some readers may find the details of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen’s sexual assault trial continued Monday with closing arguments.
The jury has now begun deliberations which continued into Monday evening.
The defense was first in the closing, citing two key points.
Lawyers said Virtanen was a “reasonable witness” whose testimony was held up under cross-examination.
However, they said the victim’s testimony was riddled with inconsistencies that were uncovered on cross-examination. They said he changed his story around consent. Under direct examination, she said she resisted Virtanen’s attempts to kiss her, but on cross-examination, she said she consented to the kiss, but drew the line at anything else.
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The defense said he should have enough reasonable doubt to reach a not guilty verdict.
The Crown then presented its closing arguments.
The lawyer argued that the victim’s poor recollection of details is irrelevant to the case.
He said just because she misremembered or didn’t remember the events of the night doesn’t mean the sexual assault didn’t happen.
He then called Virtanen an opportunistic witness, making up details or using other people’s versions of events to make his own answers seem more credible.
The lawyer added that there is no legal requirement that the complainant’s allegations be corroborated to make them valid and her testimony alone is sufficient to convict if her testimony removes doubt.
“He’s taller than her, stronger than her, and he’s taken a liking to her,” Crown said. “(She) was sexually assaulted. Find Jake Virtanen guilty of sexual assault.”
Virtanen took the stand unexpectedly last Thursday, telling the court he first met the whistleblower, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, in 2017 at the Calgary Stampede.
She told the court they kept in touch and then met in Vancouver, adding that after they met he picked her up and told her they were going to his hotel.
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He stated that she did not raise any concerns about it.
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On Friday, the Crown questioned Virtanen about his intentions the night he picked up the complainant in Vancouver and drove her to the Westin Bayshore.
2:10 Testimony ends in Jake Virtanen’s sexual assault trial Friday Testimony ends in Jake Virtanen’s sexual assault trial Friday
Read more: Jake Virtanen sexual assault trial: Ex-Canuck says whistleblower never said ‘no’
Virtanen responded that he had not specifically intended the meeting to be a hookup or a sexual relationship. He added that he did not know anything would happen, but told the court that the complainant did not raise any concerns.
The Crown asked Virtanen if he assumed the complainant was there for sex, and he said “no,” adding that they had not discussed it.
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When asked why he took her straight to the hotel room when there were restaurants and bars they could have gone to, Virtanen testified that they never discussed where they could go.
“You felt that you did all this work and you loved (the complainant) that you were going to meet and have sex no matter what,” the Crown attorney asked.
“It’s not true,” Virtanen said.
“He felt they owed it to you,” said the Crown attorney.
“No,” Virtanen replied.
“You decided you were going to have sex even if she said no,” the Crown attorney added.
“She didn’t say no … ever,” Virtanen told the court.
2:32 Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen testifies in sexual assault trial Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen testifies in sexual assault trial
When asked about the alleged sexual assault, Virtanen said the complainant “was active and an enthusiastic participant.” She said she “absolutely felt like she was into it. To me, it was obvious that she wanted to have sex.”
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The complainant stated that she resisted Virtanen verbally and physically.
Read more: Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen tells sexual assault trial about night he met complainant
More to come.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault or is involved in an abusive situation, visit the Canadian Crime Victim Resource Center for help. You can also be reached toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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