TORONTO – Former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to all sexual assault charges and a choking charge during a pre-trial hearing appearance at a Toronto courthouse on Thursday.
Ghomeshi walked into Old City Hall alongside his lawyer Marie Henein Thursday morning without saying a word to the media.
Following his not guilty plea, the public was asked to leave the courtroom for the in-camera portion of the pre-trial proceeding which is under a publication ban.
WATCH: Ghomeshi arrives at Old City Hall
The former CBC radio host was arraigned on four counts counts of sexual assault and one of choking stemming from three alleged victims. He is expected to stand trial in 2016.
Crown prosecutors in May dropped two charges against the former Q host due to a lack of evidence to convict.
The court also heard the trial will be conducted by judge only and without a jury.
Timeline: Jian Ghomeshi charged in sex assault scandal
The proceedings have been scheduled to take place at Toronto’s Old City Hall.
Ghomeshi had previously denied the allegations of sexual assault in multiple Facebook posts and said while he engaged in rough sex, his relationships with women were consensual.
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