Defence questions police's initial sex assault investigation as Stronach trial continues
CBC
WARNING: This story references sexual assault allegations and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
The defence lawyer for Frank Stronach sought to undermine the credibility of the initial investigation of the sexual assault allegations made against the Canadian businessman, court heard on Wednesday.
Leora Shemesh questioned Peel regional police officer Gabe Di Nardo, who was with the special victims unit that investigated the allegations against Stronach.
"Do you ever investigate the veracity of the allegations? Do you ever actually challenge the narratives you're being given," Shemesh asked.
Di Nardo said he assumes people are telling the truth and that they will only investigate if they have information to believe people were lying.
Stronach faces a total of seven charges, related to four of the initial seven complainants in the trial.
He initially faced 12 counts but Crown prosecutor Jelena Vlacic has told court that five of those would be withdrawn, as there was no longer a reasonable prospect to convict Stronach on those charges.
The 93-year-old founder of auto-parts giant Magna International has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Di Nardo agreed with Shemesh that when the seven complainants made their statements to police, they were never told to tell the truth.
He also agreed that a commissioner of oaths was never utilized to have the complainants swear to tell the truth and that none of the complainants were cautioned about the implications of lying.
Di Nardo said it was his practice to only caution complainants or witnesses if there was evidence or information to suggest that someone's lying.
Shemesh zeroed into some of the specifics of the investigation. She referred to the first complainant to testify, who had testified that she had worked at stables owned by Stronach, grooming horses.
Beverly Buck, a horse trainer who worked at the stables, testified earlier this week that she had no recollection of that complainant working there. Buck had also previously told police that she didn't remember the complainant.
Asked whether that caused any ambiguity in his mind, Di Nardo said just because Buck didn't remember the complainant didn't mean the complainant was lying.
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