Opening arguments are expected to begin in the sexual assault trial of former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard at a northern Ontario courthouse Tuesday.
(Left to right) Justice Robin Tremblay, Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen, Crown Attorney Lilly Gates, Hoggard’s lawyers Kally Ho, Megan Savard and accused former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard are shown in a courtroom sketch in Haileybury, Ont.. Sept. 23, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould)
The Canadian musician was charged in 2022 for an alleged sexual assault in Kirkland Lake on June 25, 2016.
His former band had performed the night before at the small town’s homecoming festival.
In December 2022, he elected to be tried by a jury rather than by a judge alone.
Fourteen jurors were selected Monday, including two alternates.
Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay is presiding over the trial at the Haileybury courthouse.
The case is being prosecuted by Crown Attorney Lilly Gates and Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen while Hoggard is being defended by attorneys Megan Savard and Kally Ho.
Hoggard stood up in court Monday morning and pled not guilty to the sexual assault charges.
Court proceedings began Tuesday shortly after 11 a.m.
Hoggard is again sitting at the table with his defence attorneys wearing a black suit, white shirt and black tie.
Jurors have been instructed to not look at any media coverage of the case during the trial.
The trial is expected to last seven days, but two weeks have been set aside in case more time is needed.
Hoggard’s rock band Hedley announced its indefinite hiatus in 2018.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca is monitoring the court case remotely and will provide updates throughout the trial.