Verdict in sexual assault trial of former military personnel chief postponed – National

An Ottawa judge says he needs more time to finalize his decision in the sexual assault trial of former Vice Admiral Haydn Edmundson.

Edmundson was commander-in-chief of military personnel in 2021 when he was accused of raping a woman aboard a naval ship in 1991.

The two-week trial took place in February and the verdict has been postponed twice so far.

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In court, the plaintiff testified that at the time of the alleged assault she was 19 years old and held the lowest rank in the Navy, while Edmundson was an officer.

She stated in court that she had not told anyone about the incident and only spoke out years later.

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Edmundson pleaded not guilty and denied having any sexual contact with the woman during his own testimony.

The case was part of a series of high-profile allegations against senior military leaders in 2021 that led to an independent review calling for sweeping changes to the culture of the armed forces.