Stronach's Defense: Crown Coaching Complaints

0:00It's April 9th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Calgary News today, your AI-powered local news. Frank Straunach, the 93-year-old founder of Magna International, is in the middle of a sexual assault trial in Ontario and his defense team, is dropping a big claim, they're saying Crown Prosecutors coached some complainants before they testified, calling it an abuse of process. Straunach has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which now boiled down to five counts from three women, earlier this week, defense lawyer Leora Chamesh laid out the argument in court. She first pushed for a full-stay of proceedings, but shifted to asking the judge to weigh it in the final decision. This judge-only trial under Justice Ann Malloy is wrapping up with closing arguments. The allegations stretch back nearly 50 years, from 1977 to 1990. All seven original complainants took the stand, sharing emotional stories of meeting Straunach at his old Toronto spot, Rooney's, then heading to his.

1:00Kondo, where assaults allegedly happened, Straunach showed up daily, but never testified, throughout the trial. The Crown pulled several charges, leaving just those five. Last week, the judge called one complainant's evidence fatally flawed and unreliable, knocking out related counts. With this motion likely ending the first phase, Straunach faces another trial later this year in new market on six more complainants. The court's ruling could shift everything.