What E.M. told the jury over 9 days of testimony in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial

WARNING: This story includes graphic details of alleged sexual assault and might affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone who's been impacted by it.

The woman at the centre of the sexual assault trial for five former players with Canada's world junior hockey team finished a marathon nine days of testimony this week in London, Ont. — before a sudden turn in the proceedings. 

The accused men are Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod, who've all pleaded not guilty. E.M., whose identity is protected under a standard publication ban, gave her account of the alleged assaults and answered hundreds of questions from the men's lawyers. 

On Thursday, however, after E.M. had concluded her testimony a day earlier, proceedings stalled due to discussions between Justice Maria Carroccia and the lawyers.

Carroccia discharged the jury on Friday and ruled the proceedings would continue by judge alone.

As a result, the proceedings are continuing where they left off, with Tyler Steenbergen, a former teammate of the men on trial, testifying remotely from Alberta to questions from the Crown. (Steenbergen is a witness and hasn't been charged with anything.)

In the meantime, we can report what E.M. said during her gruelling testimony.

Here's a look at what she said to the jury.

E.M.'s time in Ontario Superior Court began with what was at times graphic detail of alleged assaults in a London hotel on a Monday in June 2018. She recalled to the Crown that the night began awkwardly with drinks with co-workers at Jack's bar, less than a kilometre from the courtroom where she sat seven years later. 

Five lawyers representing the five accused then questioned E.M. about her evidence over seven days — such questioning is standard in the trial process, allowing the defence lawyers to ask questions of a witness to support their cases.

E.M. ended testifying after a re-examination by the Crown — which is an opportunity for prosecutors to have the complainant clarify anything said during cross-examination before the trial moves on to other witnesses.

E.M. appeared virtually through closed-circuit television (CCTV) for the full nine days she spoke, with a glass of water and a tissue box on the table beside her. The five accused men listened from the courtroom, each seated at a table with their respective defence teams.

Outside, a crowd of supporters grew from a handful on E.M.'s first day of testimony to dozens of people who later heckled the men and the lawyers.

To start her testimony, E.M. answered questions from Crown prosecutor Meaghan Cunningham, who asked the woman to take her through the night in question and part of the aftermath.