Verdict in sex assault case of retired vice-admiral Edmundson expected Wednesday

The verdict in the sex assault trial of retired vice-admiral Haydn Edmundson, who is accused of attacking a woman more than 30 years ago, is set to be delivered Wednesday in an Ottawa courtroom.

Edmundson, who was also the military's former head of human resources, was charged in December 2021 with one count of sexual assault and one count of committing indecent acts. He has pleaded not guilty.�

Ontario Court Judge Matthew C. Webber will render his decision as the case was tried by a judge alone.

Over the eight-day trial, which began on Feb. 5, court heard allegations from Stéphanie Viau, who claimed that Edmundson sexually assaulted her while they were on deployment on a naval ship.

Viau said the attack happened inside Edmundson's cabin while the ship was docked at a U.S. navy base on Nov. 8, 1991. At the time of the alleged assault, Edmundson was a lieutenant-commander, the navigator of the ship.

Viau's identity had been protected under a publication ban, but that was lifted by Webber during closing arguments as requested by Viau.

Feared for her life, court heard

Viau testified in court that Edmundson had called her into his quarters. While there, she said that she froze and feared for her life as Edmundson approached her, kissed her, unbuttoned her shirt and bra, pulled down her shorts and underwear and kissed her vagina.

Viau said Edmundson then grabbed her by the hips, turned her around and «proceeded raping me.»

But Edmundson, who also took the witness box during the trial, denied that he sexually assaulted Viau or had any physical or sexual contact with her.

Court heard that Viau's duties aboard the ship included waking up officers, including Edmundson, for their night shifts.

She testified that on one particular mission,