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Closing arguments expected Monday

Sexual assault allegation against lawyer dates back to 1994

Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 08/02) - Closing arguments will be heard Monday in the sexual assault trial of Yellowknife lawyer Charles McGee.

The Crown and defence wrapped up testimony from witnesses Thursday afternoon in an extraordinary case that had Yellowknife's close-knit legal community abuzz.

To ensure a fair trial, both the Crown attorney and the judge hearing the case were brought in from Alberta.

A publication ban prohibits publishing testimony or evidence that may identify the complainant, who was nine-years-old at the time of the alleged sexual assault.

Court of Queen's Bench Judge Arthur Lutz, of Calgary, is expected to render his verdict either Monday or Tuesday.

Territorial Supreme Court heard that on Dec. 27, 1994, the complainant slept over at McGee's home.

A witness said she saw McGee "act inappropriately" towards the complainant that evening.

McGee, the only witness called by the defence, said he entered the room where the complainant was sleeping that evening because she was having trouble sleeping.

"I went in and spoke to her," testified McGee. He then suggested she "roll over on her stomach," and McGee would, "rub her back."

McGee claims he dozed off while rubbing the complainant's back, then "awoke with a start."

He then returned to his bed, and was told the next day by the witness that "a third party" had been notified.

McGee immediately spoke to the complainant's parents, who then spoke to the child.

A Crown witness, who spoke to the complainant the next day, asked the girl, "if Charles had rubbed her back."

She was also asked if "he had touched her anywhere else."

The complainant said McGee had not touched her anywhere else, as she did when interviewed by police four months later.

However, the complainant changed her story several years later, saying she recalled details of being touched inappropriately and in a sexual way.

RCMP then charged McGee with one count of sexual assault.