Testimony wraps in Jake Virtanen’s sexual assault trial

Jake VirtanenWas back at the stand FridayThe last day of testimony inHis sexual assault trial in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.

TheFormer 25-year-old Vancouver CanuckIs charged with one count sexual assaultRelated to an incident inHis hotel room at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in VancouverOn Sept. 26, 2017. 

TheName of complainant MS is protected by a ban on publication She VirtanenWere the only witness to be called inThe trial.

ForA second consecutive day Virtanen broke down during questioning from his defence team about how the allegation has affected his hockey career.

Virtanen saidHe was “speechless”When the CanucksHe was placed on leave May 1, 2021.

“Have you played pro hockey since?”His lawyer was available to answer questions Colleen Elden.

“I had to go to Russia,”He answered. 

“Why did you have to go there?”Ask Elden. 

“It was the only place where someone would give me a job,”He sobbed. 

InA final question from his defense Virtanen once again toldThe jury that MS was an “active, equal and enthusiastic participant” in the sexual encounter. 

CrownCounsel Alan Ip challenged Virtanen inCross-examination: Ask him to explain why MS was brought to his hotel room from the Westin BayshoreAfter picking her up on the night of the alleged incident. 

MS, who was only 18 at the time, was allegedly involved in the alleged. assaultThe witness, a woman who was not at the time of her testimony, said she didn’t know. VirtanenThe room was in the Westin BayshoreThey were just moments away from arriving at the hotel. She saidShe didn’t realize he was taking him to his bedroom because they hadn’t spoken about it.

Virtanen saidThere was never any talk about something other than going to dinner or walking along the coastwall.

“It was your idea to go to your room?”Ask Ip.

“I just drove back to where we were staying, where the Canucks had us,” said Virtanen.

Later Ip asked, “In all of your dealings up to the point of the hotel room door, there was no communication, indication gestures or words from MS that she was interested in engaging in sexual activity with you?”

“No,” said Virtanen. 

“You made an assumption,” said Ip.

“No,” said Virtanen.

MS and VirtanenThey gave very different accounts of the events. sexual encounter unfolded. ContraryMS has provided testimony Virtanen saidShe never told him. “no,”And she never will saidShe did not want sex. 

“You ignored her,” said Ip. “You told her she didn’t have to.”

“No,” said Virtanen. 

WhenAsk if MS is explicitly mentioned. said “yes”To sex. Virtanen replied, “she said yes through her actions.”

‘KindLike the Roxy’

Ip also questioned VirtanenAbout the night MS approached him for the first time inThe CowboysBar tent at the 2017 Calgary Stampede.

“It’s kind of like the Roxy in Vancouver,” said IpReferring to the Granville StreetNHL players are very fond of the club. 

“Yes,” said Virtanen. 

“It felt like … a fan coming up to me,” said Virtanen. “Like she knew who I was already.”

“She knew your name?”Ask Ip.

“That’s just my gut feeling,”Answered Virtanen.

MS stated that she didn’t know who MS was referring to. Virtanen was, what he did for a living or how much money he made when they first met.

Ip later suggested Virtanen’sHis hockey stardom influenced our perception of MS. “local hero”Status as a B.C.-born hockey player who was drafted by the hometown NHL team. 

“It could be she didn’t know anything about you but wanted to get to know you as a person, not a hockey player,”Ask Ip.

“OK,”Answered Virtanen.

The trial reconvenes MondayFor closing submissions and instructions from the presiding Justice Catharine WedgeThe jury consists of eight men and four women. TheThe jury will then commence deliberations, until a verdict can be reached.