WARNING: Some readers may find details in this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen was back on the stand at his sex assault trial Friday.
Virtanen unexpectedly took the stand on Thursday, telling the court he first met the complainant, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, in 2017 at the Calgary Stampede.
He told the court they kept in touch and then later met up in Vancouver, adding that after they arranged to meet, he picked her up and told her they were going to his hotel.
He testified that she didn’t raise any concerns about it.
On Friday, Crown questioned Virtanen on his intentions the night he picked up the complainant in Vancouver and drove her to the Westin Bayshore.
Virtanen responded that he had not specifically intended for the meeting to be a hook up or for sex. He added that he didn’t know anything was going to happen, but told the court the complainant did not bring up any concerns.
Crown asked Virtanen if he made an assumption the complainant was there for sex and answered ‘no,’ adding that they didn’t talk about it.
Asked why he took her straight to the hotel room when there were restaurants and bars they could have gone to, Virtanen testified they never discussed where they might go.
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“You felt that you did all this work, and charmed (the complainant) to meet up and you were going to get sex no matter what,” Crown counsel asked.
“Not true,” said Virtanen.
“You felt you were owed it,” Crown counsel said.
“No,” responded Virtanen.
“You decided you were going to get sex even if she said no,” Crown counsel added.
“She didn’t say no… never,” Virtanen told the court.
Crown counsel went on to suggest Virtanen never asked the complainant any questions because he knew she didn’t want to have sex with him.
Virtanen disputed that allegation.
“She already said ‘no’ to you multiple times,” Crown counsel said.
“No,” answered Virtanen.
“Did you ever hear her say yes?” Crown counsel asked.
“She told me through her actions,” Virtanen added.
During his testimony Thursday, Virtanen also stated the complainant never raised any concerns.
When asked about the alleged sex assault, Virtanen said the complainant “was active and she was an enthusiastic participant.” He said he “absolutely felt like she was into it. For me, it was obvious she wanted to have sex.”
The complainant has testified she verbally and physically resisted Virtanen.
During cross-examination earlier Thursday, Virtanen’s defence lawyer asked the complainant why she attended a Canucks game two days after the alleged assault. She said she was pretending everything was normal because she wanted to pretend the alleged assault hadn’t happened.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault or is involved in an abusive situation, please visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for help. It is also reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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