WARNING: Some readers may find the details of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen returned to court in his sexual assault trial on Friday.
Virtanen unexpectedly took the stand Thursday, telling the court he first met the complainant, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, in 2017 at the Calgary Stampede.
He told the court they kept in touch and later met in Vancouver, adding that after they arranged to meet, he picked her up and told her they were going to his hotel.
He testified that she had expressed no concerns about it.
On Friday, the Crown questioned Virtanen about his intentions the night he picked up the complainant in Vancouver and drove her to the Westin Bayshore.
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Virtanen replied that he had not specifically intended the meeting to be a relationship or sex. He added that he did not know anything was going to happen, but told the court that the appellant had not expressed any concerns.
Crown asked Virtanen if he made any suggestion that the appellant was there for sex, and he said no, adding that they had not talked about it.
Asked why he took her straight to the hotel room when there were restaurants and bars they could have gone to, Virtanen said they never discussed where they could go.
“You felt you had done all this work and charmed (the appellant) into meeting and you were going to have sex no matter what,” asked the Crown attorney.
“It’s not true,” Virtanen said.
“You felt you owed it,” the Crown attorney said.
“No,” Virtanen replied.
“You decided you were going to have sex even if she said no,” the Crown attorney added.
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“She didn’t say no … never,” Virtanen told the court.
2:54 Virtan prosecutor emotional during cross-examination Virtan prosecutor emotional during cross-examination
The lawyer went on to suggest that Virtanen never asked the complainant any questions because he knew she did not want to have sex with him.
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Virtanen disputed that claim.
“She’s already told you no several times,” the Crown attorney said.
“No,” Virtanen replied.
“Did you ever hear her say yes?” asked the royal advisor.
“She told me through her actions,” Virtanen added.
2:41 Complainant cross-examined in former Vancouver Canuck sexual assault case Complainant cross-examined in former Vancouver Canuck sexual assault case
During his testimony Thursday, Virtanen also said the complainant never expressed any concerns.
When asked about the alleged sexual abuse, Virtanen said the complainant “was active and an enthusiastic participant.” He said he “absolutely felt like she was in it. It was obvious to me that she wanted to have sex.
Read more: Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen tells sexual assault trial about night he met complainant
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The appellant testified that she verbally and physically resisted Virtanen.
During cross-examination earlier Thursday, Virtanen’s lawyer asked the complainant why she attended a Canucks game two days after the alleged assault. She said she pretended everything was normal because she wanted to pretend the alleged assault didn’t happen.
Read more: Jake Virtanen trial — Defense asks complainant why she didn’t apologize to avoid sex
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence or has been involved in abuse, please visit the Canadian Crime Victim Resource Center for help. It is also available toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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