Master Corporal Claude Houde will testify in his own defense on Saturday in front of the Court Martial at the Bagotville base.
This soldier is facing three counts of sexual assault for acts he allegedly committed between December 2015 and March 2017. In one of the cases, he allegedly caused bodily harm to his alleged victim. . Claude Houde will be the only witness in the defense.
The complainant has already had the opportunity to convey his version of the facts. He was placed behind a screen preventing any visual contact between the accused and him.
When she was cross-examined, the woman, who also belongs to the Canadian Armed Forces, required reassurance from Judge Martin Pelletier on several occasions. He made it clear to her that no one was there to trick him or put him in a box.
As he was questioned by the defense attorney, Jean-Marc Tremblay, he returned to his testimony in August 2020.
He pointed out that when he filed his complaint, he wanted it first and foremost to listen. He added that, in his mind, it was not his duty to determine the actions what is being blamed on Claude Houde are actually sexual assaults.
The woman maintained that she was familiar with the ideas of approval, dignity and respect because she had received training in these various concepts. He pointed out that it was not the training in question that prompted him to file a complaint against Claude Houde. He did not specify what motivated him to act.
During cross-examination, his voice was often barely audible. Me So Tremblay would often ask him to raise his voice and repeat what he said.
She admitted to the lip service that she had already had consensual sex with Claude Houde, and this, on several occasions. He mentioned that he had never had any discussion or argument with him in relation to the alleged attacks.
The defense attorney sought to find out why the complainant had provided certain specific information since the beginning of the trial that did not appear in his testimony. He said he believes the information he provided in the beginning was sufficient.
After expressing his desire to answer all the questions, he made a very emotional statement. I was asked to tell the truth, honestly. I am conditioned here, he launched. At the conclusion of her cross-examination on Friday afternoon, the woman burst into tears.
The judge praised her courage and thanked her for it contribution to military justice. Following this, the magistrate indicated that the trial will resume on Saturday morning.
Source: Radio-Canada
