Former Windsor Spitfires Forward Ben Johnson walks from the Ontario Court of Justice, November 12, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Former Windsor Spitfires Forward Ben Johnson walks from the Ontario Court of Justice, November 12, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

Former Spitfire Found Not Guilty

Former Windsor Spitfires Forward Ben Johnson is not guilty of sexual assault after an incident at a bar, back in the winter of 2013.

Justice Micheline Rawlins determined that he and the complainant were in fact in a men's washroom stall together at the Krooked Kilt that January night, but couldn't say beyond a reasonable doubt that there was any forced sexual touching.

"In no way, even at the highest of her evidence, did she say Mr. Johnson was acting aggressively -- perhaps inappropriately, but certainly not, in any way, aggressively," says Defence Lawyer Evan Weber.

The fact that both parties were intoxicated during the incident was also a factor in whether or not Rawlins could trust one testimony over another.

Johnson is still facing one count of sexual assault in relation to a separate 2013 matter, which took place at Mynt nightclub.

The 21-year-old split time playing hockey between the AHL and ECHL last season, for the Albany Devils and Orlando Solar Bears, after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2012.

Read More Local Stories

Walpole Island Governance Building. August, 2020 Photo courtesy of James Jenkins.

Walpole Island heads to the polls

Over 40 candidates are competing for a spot on the Walpole Island First Nation band council in the upcoming election on Saturday, September 19.