Jian Ghomeshi Arrested: Ex-CBC Host Facing Sexual Assault Charges

Huffington Post Canada ^ | November 26, 2014 | Joshua Ostroff

[Loyalist]

Jian Ghomeshi was arrested Wednesday in Toronto and is facing charges of four counts of sexual assault and one count of "overcome resistance - choking."

He appeared in court this afternoon. CBC's John Lancaster reported that Ghomeshi was "sitting alone in prisoner's box. White shirt, black blazer. Looks tired."

Ghomeshi has been granted $100,000 bail on the conditions that he live with his mother, surrender his passport and not leave Ontario. Ghomeshi's next court appearance is Jan. 8.

Ghomeshi left the courthouse, pushing through a crush of media, without saying a word. But in a statement his lawyer Marie Henein said Ghomeshi will plead not guilty and that "we will not be making any further media statements."

The former CBC Q host has been under criminal investigation since Oct. 31 when two women, including "Trailer Park Boys" actress Lucy DeCoutere, filed official complaints with the Toronto police. The CBC reported at the time that "both women say they couldn't remain silent any longer and say they hope more alleged victims will come forward."

[Loyalist]

This case is getting really ugly up here in Canada, with the golden boy of the CBC and the artsy-fartsy crowd having gone from a ubiquitous presence on radio, TV and every gala to a pariah in less than a month.

In any event, the Crown is proceeding with sexual assault as an indictable offence (felony) because of the overcoming resistance charge, which kicks in only in the case of a commission of another indictable offence.

That's federal penitentiary time, and quite possibly starting in maximum security.

And still the victims are coming forward--fifteen at last count, all with similar stories of being choked, punched, and/or raped.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Is he not facing a maximum life (20 years) sentence for the overcoming resistance charge?

[Cowboy Bob]

This is part of their culture (karma sutra, etc.). Who are we to judge this person. We should welcome this as part of the rich tapestry of diversity! All cultures are equal, but Wester culture should be submissive, lest we offend others!

[xp38]

I think his background is Iranian not Indian. Much more to the point this guy was a big time lefty did the following while in university.

from wiki

Ghomeshi attended York University beginning in 1985 in the theatre program and[13][14] subsequently graduated with a B.A. in political science and double-minored in history and women’s studies.[9][15][16][17] In 1989 Ghomeshi attempted, unsuccessfully, to overthrow the student government at York.[1] In 1990 he was elected president of the Council of the York Federation of Students with a record-breaking number of votes. He subsequently renamed the federation the York Federation of Students.[1] As president Ghomeshi promised increased funding for the Women’s Centre, supported increased safety measures for women on campus and co-founded a pro-choice network

[martin_fierro]

STOP THE MEDIA VIOLENCE Ping

[Loyalist]

Yes, but he’s not going to get anything near that. Given all the factors I would suspect he’ll come out with a sentence between three to five years. If there’s a rape in the mix, though, it will be closer to ten.

I suppose the Court might want to make an example of him and make his sentences consecutive, but I doubt that will happen.

[Loyalist]

He was born in London to parents from Iran.

As a side note, his defence counsel, Marie Henein, is of Coptic ancestry. She would know full well how Islamic cultures regard women and where her client learned his attitudes.

[canuck_conservative]

The problem with the CBC - btw, in Canada that means the Canadian Boadcasting Corp - is that it has a “culture of celebrity” where a select few are treated like stars, so they can get away with anything.

Most deal with it responsibly (Peter Mansbridge, Ron Mclean), obviously Ghomeshi didn’t.

[hal ogen]

Lefty Gone Wild! But...was this “rape rape”? Who are we to judge? Have some respect for his culture...aren’t all cultures equal?

[Terry L Smith]

Give me one good reason why we, in America, should even waste time with a criminal case of a ‘Piers Morgan-type’ foreigner gone bad in Canada?

[PGR88]

The CBC is a cesspool of elitist, smug, narrow-minded pricks. Let’s home they get a couple black eyes from this.

[GladesGuru]

He may be just a Muslim acting out his “Inner Mohammed”.

Cases such as this one are why Muslims must not be allowed into any civilized society.

As an aside, is it possible that the Puritan Preacher, Cotton Mather was misquoted? Perhaps he didn’t actually say “Suffer Ye not a witch to live.” Maybe the correct quote should be “Suffer Ye not a Muslim to live.”

If not, he should have.