Former SMU groundskeeper won’t testify in his own defence at sexual assault trial

Former Saint Mary’s University groundskeeper Matthew Percy will not testify in his own defence at his third sexual assault trial.

Percy’s defence attorney Peter Planetta was given an opportunity to call evidence at Nova Scotia Supreme Court Tuesday morning, where only the complainant’s former roommate took the stand.

Planetta did not call any other witnesses.

Percy is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at her Dalhousie University residence on Dec. 6, 2014. The complainant, whose identity is protected under a publication ban, testified that she met Percy after a night of drinking in downtown Halifax.

They ended up back at her residence on LeMarchant Street, where the alleged assault occurred. The woman testified that the incident left her with bruise and bite marks, but in a police interview Percy described the interaction as rough and passionate sex.

Percy has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault causing bodily harm.

The trial is being heard by judge alone.

The defence’s only witness

Testimony on the sixth day of Percy’s trial heard only from a woman who lived with the complainant when the alleged assault occurred.

The roommate, whose identity is being protected in order to protect the identity of the complaint, testified that she went to bed between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. the night of the incident, but was later awoken by noises in a next-door room.

The witness added that she didn’t hear any words that would indicate something bad was happening.

Source: Read Full Article