The Crown is challenging a rare mistrial declared after the verdict in the sexual assault case of Frank Stronach. The wealthy entrepreneur was convicted in June of sexual assault and indecent assault related to allegations from two women in Toronto. However, a mistrial was granted on the sexual assault charge by Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy due to emails presented in court from the woman’s lawyer in a separate civil case. Stronach’s lawyer, Leora Shemesh, argued that the emails contradicted the woman’s testimony in the criminal trial.
At the start, Stronach faced twelve charges dating back to the late 1970s to 1990s involving seven complainants. By the end of the trial in April, one charge was withdrawn, and prosecutors agreed Stronach should be acquitted of four more charges. The judge found the evidence of one complainant unreliable, leading to the dismissal of two charges, leaving Stronach facing five charges related to three complainants. He was ultimately convicted on two counts of indecent assault.
Stronach is scheduled to be sentenced for the indecent assault conviction in September. Additionally, the town of Aurora, Ontario, has decided to remove Stronach’s name from a recreation complex following his sexual assault conviction.