Stronach Trial: Judge Narrows Charges, Defense Optimistic

0:00Superior court justice Ann Maloy just dropped a big ruling in the Frankstronok sexual assault trial. The 93-year-old Otto Magnet won't face conviction based on evidence from one key complainant. That moves, slashes his charges from 12 down to 5, now tied to just 3 women instead of 7. This first witness testified about an incident back in 1980 or 1981. She was in her early 20s, working as a horse groomer on his Aurora farm, then ended up at his Toronto bar called Roonies. She claimed assaults happened right there on the dance floor and in a booth, plus more later when she woke up. The judge pointed out issues with her story, saying it evolved over time and left too much doubt. She questioned how such an assault on a crowded dance floor could go unnoticed even if the place was dark. Defense lawyers hammered home the inconsistencies, calling her account unreliable and full of confusion. Earlier reports from 2015 didn't lead to charges back then, but appeal police revived it in 2024.

1:02Now with this ruling, the trial keeps rolling on the remaining cases as final arguments wrap up downtown. Stronok's team stays optimistic with fewer hurdles ahead, while the court ways was left for a final call soon. That's your Canada News Today update, AI-powered and always on.