Following a jury’s inability to reach a verdict earlier this year, eight charges against a former Yellowknife city councillor have been put on hold as of Monday.
Robin Williams was facing a total of 14 charges related to assault and sexual assault. After a two-week trial, the jury acquitted Williams of six charges, but could not come to a decision on the remaining eight.
The Crown prosecutor made an appearance in court on Monday to officially pause the outstanding charges. While a stay of charges allows for the possibility of revival, such occurrences are infrequent.
In a phone interview, Williams expressed the profound impact of the case on his life, stating, “This has been absolutely devastating for me.”
He also highlighted the prevalence of false accusations against men in society and the quick judgment by the media.
According to estimates from the Canadian government, between two to four percent of sexual assault allegations are deemed false.
During the trial’s closing arguments, Williams’ defense lawyer, Evan McIntyre, contended that the accuser had perjured multiple times. McIntyre also emphasized the adverse effects of the allegations on his client.
On the other hand, Crown prosecutor Brian Bencze maintained that the accuser’s testimony was credible and expressed respect for the jury’s decision.
