The trial of Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, the navy’s former head of human assets, is about to start Tuesday in an Ottawa civilian courtroom.
Edmundson was charged in December 2021 with sexual assault and committing indecent acts. He has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyer, Brian Greenspan, has stated Edmundson seems to be ahead to restoring his status.
Edmundson has chosen to be tried within the Ontario Courtroom of Justice, which implies there won’t be a jury.
A publication ban is in place defending the id of the complainant.
As a former commander, Edmundson had authority over profession penalties for navy members discovered to have engaged in sexual misconduct.
His workplace’s mandate included eliminating dangerous and inappropriate behaviour within the navy and complying with a class-action lawsuit in opposition to the Canadian Armed Forces over sexual misconduct, in response to the navy’s web site.
Since early February 2021, a number of present and former senior Canadian navy leaders have been sidelined, investigated, criminally charged or compelled into retirement from among the strongest and prestigious posts within the defence institution.
The courtroom has scheduled 13 days — from August 8 via 24 — for this trial.