Justice Carroccia Navigates High-Stakes Hockey Canada Verdict

Ontario judge faces national spotlight in sexual assault trial

Justice **Maria Carroccia** is set to deliver a pivotal verdict in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case, a trial that has captivated the nation and tested the legal system.

From Windsor Courtrooms to National Scrutiny

Just two years prior to presiding over the high-profile Hockey Canada proceedings, Justice **Carroccia** concluded a complex, four-month murder trial in her hometown of Windsor, Ontario. This case, involving three men accused in a drug and money dispute, saw the defence challenge the Crown’s key witness, ultimately leading to guilty verdicts from a jury.

With decades of experience as a prominent criminal defence lawyer in Windsor, **Carroccia** was appointed to the bench in 2020. Her judicial tenure has included significant cases, from the local murder trial to sexual assault allegations. However, none have garnered the intense national attention and scrutiny her upcoming decision in the Hockey Canada trial has attracted.

The Hockey Canada Case: A Complex Legal Landscape

The trial involves five former world junior hockey players, all of whom have gone on to careers in the NHL. Each faces a charge of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident at a London, Ontario hotel following a Hockey Canada gala in 2018. Players **Michael McLeod**, **Carter Hart**, **Alex Formenton**, **Dillon Dubé**, and **Cal Foote** have all entered not-guilty pleas.

Toronto criminal-defence lawyer **Christopher Hicks**, who represented a defendant in the Windsor murder case overseen by Justice **Carroccia**, described her as “good with the law” and noted her steady, calm demeanor. “She’s very steady, very calm,” Mr. **Hicks** commented. “She would listen to you. I want to be able to discuss the law with the judge.”

Justice **Carroccia**’s handling of the trial, which commenced in late April and concluded in mid-June, focused on intricate aspects of sexual assault law. The case has become a focal point for discussions surrounding Canada’s deep-rooted passion for hockey, the ongoing societal reckoning with sexual violence, and the crucial definition of consent.

Navigating Mistrials and Legal Decisions

The path to a verdict has been fraught with challenges, including two mistrials. Initially slated for a jury decision, Justice **Carroccia** declared a mistrial shortly after proceedings began. A second jury was dismissed in mid-May, leading to the current situation where Justice **Carroccia** will render the verdict herself.

Throughout these disruptions, Justice **Carroccia** made critical rulings on evidence admissibility. Notably, she twice ruled against the Crown regarding the inclusion of a text message that could have strengthened the case against the accused.

Her impending decision will be accompanied by detailed legal reasoning, a format that will be closely examined by legal professionals and the public across Canada.

A Judge Committed to Understandable Justice

Justice **Carroccia** believes judicial decisions should be comprehensible to ordinary individuals, not solely to legal experts. “A judge’s decision ought to make sense to an ordinary person, not just to lawyers, scholars and other judges,” she stated in her judicial application.

Her background is rooted in a family of Italian immigrants in Windsor. Her parents, **Angelo** and **Assunta Carroccia**, instilled in her a strong work ethic. After graduating from the University of Windsor law school in 1987, she honed her skills as a criminal defence lawyer, with former colleague **Michael Gordner** remarking on her compassion and deep understanding of the law.

“You have to have compassion for people,” said **Mr. Gordner**. “You have to be intelligent, to really understand criminal law, the philosophical basis of the law. That’s an academic side. She understands the law.”

During her legal career, Justice **Carroccia** handled a wide array of cases, from drug offenses to murder. She also advocated for issues like jail overcrowding as president of the local Criminal Lawyers’ Association.

As a judge, she is known for her clear and concise communication, patience, and ability to preside with both authority and empathy. Her judicial approach has shown a capacity for a tough-on-crime stance, particularly in cases involving substances like fentanyl, a contrast to her past advocacy for leniency.

Judicial Experience and Public Trust

An Ontario Superior Court spokesperson cited judicial independence when declining to comment on the specific selection of Justice **Carroccia** for the Hockey Canada trial. Experts suggest that a judge’s experience and ability to manage high-profile cases with significant public interest are crucial factors in such assignments.

While specific details about Justice **Carroccia**’s record, such as the number of jury or sexual assault trials she has presided over, were not provided, a review of legal databases indicates a broad range of experience during her five years on the bench.

Her judicial work has been reviewed by the Ontario Court of Appeal in at least two sexual assault cases. In one instance from 2021, a conviction she handed down for domestic sexual assault was upheld on appeal in 2024. Another case involved a sexual interference charge where she sentenced the accused to 4½ years; the appeal court affirmed her assessment of the evidence in 2023.

Navigating the complexities of sexual assault law and appellate reviews presents significant challenges. As professor **Janine Benedet**, a sexual assault law expert at the University of British Columbia, noted, “Trial management is really difficult.” She highlighted the critical role of trial judges in managing evidence admissibility and balancing defence questioning.

In a significant moment during the Hockey Canada trial, Justice **Carroccia** made the decisive move to proceed without a jury after the second mistrial. This decision, though met with initial Crown reluctance, was agreed upon by both parties, partly to spare the complainant further difficult testimony after nine days on the stand.

“They all got on board because of her,” said **Mr. Hicks**, the Toronto defence lawyer, underscoring her influence in keeping the trial from collapsing.

Ms. **Brenda Gingras**, mother of **Madisen Gingras**, a victim in the 2020 Windsor murder case convicted in Justice **Carroccia**’s court, expressed deep respect for the judge. “I felt like she really listened to everyone,” Ms. **Gingras** said. “I always wanted to meet her and thank her. Even though she was doing her job, I was grateful for her. I have the utmost respect for her.”