The Crown is challenging a rare mistrial declared after the verdict in the sexual assault case involving Frank Stronach. In June, the wealthy entrepreneur was convicted of sexual assault and indecent assault in a Toronto trial, based on accusations from two women. However, a mistrial was granted by Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy on the sexual assault charge due to emails from one of the women’s lawyer in a civil case, which were deemed contradictory to her testimony.
Stronach’s lawyer, Leora Shemesh, argued that the emails presented an inconsistent narrative with the woman’s statements during the criminal trial. The woman did not testify before the mistrial was declared, as mentioned by Shemesh in July. Initially facing twelve charges from the late 1970s to the 1990s involving seven accusers, Stronach had one charge withdrawn, was found not guilty on four charges, and was acquitted on two others due to unreliable witness testimony. This left him with five charges from three complainants, leading to convictions on two counts.
The sentencing for the indecent assault conviction is scheduled for September. Additionally, the town of Aurora, Ontario, is planning to remove Stronach’s name from a recreation complex following the sexual assault conviction.