The evidence portion of the judge-only trial of three Toronto police officers accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague finished on Tuesday with both sides presenting their closing arguments.
The Crown alleged a 36-year-old rookie Toronto parking enforcement officer was sexually assaulted by three constables two and a half years ago when they had non-consensual sex with the woman at a downtown hotel after a long night of partying.
Toronto Police Constables Leslie Nyznik, Joshua Cabero and Sameer Kara have all pleaded not guilty.
READ MORE: It was her idea to have sex with 3 Toronto officers: accused cop tells court
In his closing argument, Harry Black, Leslie Nyznik’s lawyer, said “the more likely scenario (of) what occurred here is the complainant came to regret her decisions… because she feared embarrassment, what people might say… what people might think… what people might whisper.”
Nyznik was the only accused to take the stand.
In his closing argument, Crown prosecutor Philip Permutter described Nyznik as “an opportunist who should not be believed,” saying “he was desperate for sex” and described his version of events as “a script or a movie where he plays the role of a vivid film producer.”
READ MORE: Defence questions woman’s memory at Toronto police sex assault trial
The defence described the alleged victim as unreliable and questioned her credibility.
Patrick Ducharme, Joshua Cabero’s lawyer, said the complainant “convinced herself of validity of her beliefs… they’re not actually memories, they’re reconstructed thoughts.”
The night of the police rookie party two years ago involved drinking and bar hopping. Sameer Kara left the party early and was seen drunk on security video from the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The court heard the alleged victim took a cab with the other two accused to a strip club, and it was there she believes she may have been drugged.
Harry Black said “her assertion that she was in and out of consciousness is inconsistent with either drugs or alcohol.”
READ MORE: 3 Toronto police officers sexually assaulted colleague after ‘rookie’ night: Crown
Black also claims her symptoms were taken from an internet search she did on the date rape drugs while at the hospital after the alleged sexual assault.
But Permutter argued “it’s completely normal for someone who goes to the hospital, waiting to be seen… to do an internet search.”
Defence argues the complainant was asked permission in each sexual act with the three accused officers. But to the crown, she did not consent, was unwilling and unable.
The judge is expected to deliver her decision on Aug. 9.
With files from The Canadian Press
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