Alexa Suitor, a 35-year-old resident of Sundre, Alta., was convicted on Saturday afternoon of sexual assault and sexual interference by a jury following a week-long trial, cbc.ca reported. The charges stem from an incident at a New Year’s Eve party held at a rural home in the Sundre area on Dec. 31, 2023, where a group of teenagers and adults had gathered.
Deliberations and Verdict at Court
The jury reached its decision after deliberating for 24 hours following closing arguments delivered by prosecutors James Molloy and Laura Somers, alongside defence lawyer Patrick Fagan. According to cbc.ca, Suitor showed no outward reaction when the jury foreperson announced the verdict on Saturday afternoon.
Justice Douglas Mah presided over the trial and will hear sentencing arguments at a later date. During the proceedings, Fagan indicated to the court that he intends to ask for a discharge for his client, an outcome that, if granted, would mean Suitor would serve no time in jail.
Party Events and Sleeping Arrangements
Testimony during the trial established that Suitor and several teenagers spent the majority of the New Year’s Eve night drinking in a detached cabin on the property, while other adult attendees remained in the main house. As the evening concluded, Suitor and the teenagers coordinated sleeping arrangements, placing some teens on living room cots and others in available bedrooms.
The victim, identified in court documents as C.D. due to a publication ban noted by cbc.ca, testified that he fell asleep on a living room cot and woke up to Suitor touching his penis. The testimony indicated that this interaction led to sexual intercourse on the cot. The following day, C.D. received a Snapchat message from Suitor that read, “we took it too far last night.”
Corroborating Testimony and Defence Position
Two friends of the victim also provided testimony during the week-long trial. One friend stated that she witnessed the pair having sex when she entered the kitchen to get a glass of water, while the second friend confirmed seeing the Snapchat message sent by Suitor the next day.
Taking the stand in her own defence, Suitor denied all allegations of sexual touching and intercourse, maintaining that the events described by the witnesses never occurred.
