Guilty verdict at Prince Albert sexual assault trial

As per testimony heard, the female victim, who had been drinking heavily with friends, had passed out on a bed and awoke to find Bird on top of her performing sexual intercourse.

The woman admitted to being highly intoxicated but claimed to have a clear memory of the incident and seeing Bird.

As part of closing arguments, Crown Prosecutor Kristen Hubbard told the jurors there should be no dispute.

“An unconscious person cannot consent to sexual activity,” she said.

Hubbard also stated that while the woman could not remember details such as who she was drinking with, what she was drinking, or what she was wearing, she still appeared truthful and candid and had no reason to make anything up.

“She has nothing to gain.”

Michael Bird did not testify, and defence lawyer Evan Strelioff had argued the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the woman was actually sexually assaulted or that Bird was responsible.

Strelioff cited the fact that no sexual assault kit was ever completed and that there was no corroborating evidence.

A publication ban ordered by Justice Labach prohibits the publication of any information that could identify the witnesses.

In addition to the sexual assault conviction, Bird is also awaiting trial for a murder charge. The sexual assault occurred exactly three weeks before Trevor LaPlante was found deceased.

While that matter has also been committed to Court of King’s Bench, trial dates have not yet been set.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Guilty verdict at Prince Albert sexual assault trial

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