By Taylor MacPherson

Defence challenges complainant’s timeline, Turcotte trial to conclude this week

Oct 26, 2016 | 5:00 PM

Closing statements from both sides are expected tomorrow as the trial of a school counsellor accused of sexually assaulting a student concludes.

Gerald Turcotte, 49, is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching. The incident allegedly took place in the mid-1990s when Turcotte worked as a counsellor at St. Francis School in Prince Albert.

The defence strategy during the trial focused on assessing the credibility of the complainant, whose name cannot be published due to her age at the time. Defence lawyer Estes Fonkalsrud pressed her for specifics on the stand and noted several timeline discrepancies between her testimony at trial and sworn statements made during the preliminary inquiry held in 2015.

Today the court heard from two defence witnesses, both of whom worked at the school attended by the complainant.

Both witnesses testified they did not hear of any complaints against Turcotte during their tenures. One of the defence witnesses, a former teacher of the complainant, said the girl was well behaved in her class and could not recall any serious incidents involving the complainant.

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Closing arguments from both sides will be heard tomorrow afternoon at Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench. The court heard emotional testimony from the complainant and her family during the trial by judge, which opened Oct. 24.

Justice Grant Currie said he will require some time to make his decision, but noted his verdict could be returned as soon as Tuesday.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

@TMacPhersonNews