Prosecutors have dropped a decades-old sex assault case against a small-town Manitoba mayor in part because of new evidence pointing to his innocence, his lawyer says.
Ste. Anne Mayor Bernard Vermette was charged with indecent assault; the alleged victim recently came forward claiming Vermette had assaulted her in 1966.
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Vermette, 74, was charged in July 2013 by RCMP.
Hymie Weinstein, Vermette’s lawyer, told Global News Monday that the Crown stayed the charge after he offered up proof Vermette never owned the type of vehicle involved in the allegation.
“She described a large truck, red in colour,” Weinstein said. “Mr. Vermette never owned one like that in 1966.”
Weinstein said Vermette is “relieved” to have the case behind him.
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