Defence questions woman during assault trial of former Yellowknife city councillor

A woman who says a former Yellowknife city councillor assaulted and sexually assaulted her multiple times was questioned by his lawyer on Friday in court. 

Robin Williams, who previously sat on city council and who also owns a business in Yellowknife, is currently on trial for 14 charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all of them.

The identity of the woman — who testified at the trial earlier in the week — is protected by a publication ban.

Friday’s questioning focused on her recollection of events.

Williams’ lawyer, Evan McIntyre, asked the woman about differences between the statements she had made to police and what she said in her testimony earlier in the week. 

He also questioned her about an allegation that Williams had dragged her by her hair and spat chewing tobacco on her. 

He asked her if the chewing tobacco actually ended up on her face accidentally during an argument, instead of an assault.

She said that’s not what happened.

He also questioned her on a photo that had been entered as evidence, which the woman said showed her with chewing tobacco on her face shortly after the incident.

McIntyre presented a different photo to the judge and jury, which he says was taken after the first photo.

He said it was of her with no chewing tobacco on her face, but her hair was more messy 

McIntyre asked her if she had purposely messed up her hair for the second photo and had purposely taken a picture featuring the chewing tobacco for the other.

She denied this.

McIntyre also produced evidence that the woman was initially mistaken about the order in which the photos were taken. 

He asked her if she made up an answer while testifying. 

She replied she was mistaken and “reliving this is very hard.” 

McIntyre said it is also hard for his client, Williams.