Former hockey player Gabriel Gagné sexually assaulted a young woman during a party with friends in Montmagny, a judge ruled Tuesday morning, adding that the accused's version was “implausible” and “not very credible.” »
Posted at 2:11 p.m.
Judge Hubert Couture did not believe the version of the accused, a former prospect of the National Hockey League (NHL). According to the latter, the young woman would have simply come to him. He had claimed that the victim wanted to have sex. “Why this deduction? », asks the magistrate in his judgment.
The case dates back to July 2016. It was a “pool party” organized to celebrate a young player recruited by a major league team. But for Viviane*, the evening was not festive. Instead, she spent a painful and traumatic hour. Gabriel Gagné forced him to perform oral sex on him and penetrated him without his consent at the home of a friend.
To lure his victim to the basement, the hockey player pretends that a friend of Viviane's is there and is not feeling well. The 20-year-old woman quickly realizes the subterfuge. There's no one there and it's dark. Gabriel Gagné then takes her by the shoulders, mentioning that “he wants her. »
He pulls down her swimsuit and forces her to perform oral sex on him. He continues despite Viviane's sobs. “She feels sick and tries to tell him to stop,” Judge Couture said in the courtroom.
The hockey player, instead of stopping, blames the victim for making him “disband.” »
Viviane shouts at her tormentor to stop when he sexually assaults her. His legs are trembling. She then finds herself alone in the bathroom, collapsed and crying.
No complaints, no kit
Viviane goes to the hospital two days after the attack, in order to complete the forensic kit. “However, a nurse informed her that if she submitted to this examination, she must file a complaint with the police,” reported Judge Couture in his oral judgment.
The victim was not ready to file a complaint immediately after the incident, since she did not have the strength to navigate through the legal process at that time.
She finally contacted the authorities in 2021 and filed a complaint.
Me Maxime Raymond defended Gabriel Gagné, while Me François Doyon Gascon et Me Jasmine Godin represented the public prosecutor.
The case must return to court next January.
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