BBC News
Published
image copyrightGetty Images
Gilbert Rozon, who founded the Just for Laughs comedy festival, had always maintained his innocence.
The judge in Montreal said her ruling did not mean that no crime had taken place, but rather that the prosecution had not been able to prove Mr Rozon s guilt beyond all reasonable doubt.
The complainant said the decision marked a sombre day .
Mr Rozon stepped back from several television productions in 2017 after a Montreal newspaper published allegations of sexual abuse and harassment from nine women spanning three decades. None of the claims have been proven in court.
He denied the charges and said Ms Charette had initiated the encounter.
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon found not guilty on sex charges - Medicine Hat NewsMedicine Hat News
medicinehatnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from medicinehatnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon acquitted in rape trial as prosecution fails to meet burden of proof The verdict of acquittal does not signify that the incidents did not happen. It simply signifies that there exists, in the spirit of the court, a reasonable doubt as to the guilt
Author of the article: Paul Cherry • Montreal Gazette
Publishing date: Dec 15, 2020 • December 15, 2020 • 3 minute read • The prosecution’s cross-examination of Gilbert Rozon “simply did not shake his version of the facts, the judge said Tuesday upon the Just for Laughs founder s acquittal. However, it did reveal that Mr. Rozon can sometimes exaggerate his words to support his testimony. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette
follow Us
Canadian former producer Gilbert Rozon was acquitted Tuesday in Montreal of sexual assault and harassment charges, for which he faced a prison sentence.
Rozon, 66, was charged in December 2018 for events that allegedly occurred in 1979 involving a victim whose identity was initially not revealed, but revealed her name as Annick Charette.
The Quebec public prosecutor s office did not file charges from 13 other alleged victims.
In a lengthy and nuanced ruling, Judge Melanie Hebert found that the trial, which pitted two contradictory versions of the events against each other, did not prove Rozon s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
But this acquittal does not mean that the alleged events did not occur, she said. She even ruled that the plaintiff s story was more plausible than Rozon s.
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon acquitted in rape, indecent assault trial
The founder of the world-famous Just for Laughs comedy festival has been acquitted of charges of rape and indecent assault in a Montreal court.
Social Sharing
CBC News ·
Posted: Dec 15, 2020 3:51 PM ET | Last Updated: December 15, 2020
Gilbert Rozon arrives at the Montreal court house to hear a judge s ruling in his rape trial on Tuesday.(Ivanoh Demers/CBC)
vimarsana © 2020. All Rights Reserved.