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In a 25-page verdict, Judge William Horkins noted
inconsistencies in the testimony of all three complainants,
saying one had "played chicken with the justice system," while
another was "manipulative" and a third "deceptive."
The high-profile case has drawn parallels with that of
entertainer Bill Cosby, a national figure in the United States
who faces multiple accusations of sexual abuse over many years.
Cosby has long denied the allegations.
Ghomeshi, the 48-year-old former host of Q, an internationally
syndicated music and arts program, had pleaded not guilty to all
charges. He did not testify in the trial, but admitted in a 2014
Facebook post that he participated in rough, but consensual,
sex. He faces another trial in June for a different count of
sexual assault.
"The evidence of each complainant suffered not just from
inconsistencies and questionable behavior, but was tainted by
outright deception," Horkins said in his decision.
Two of the complainants cannot be named, while one, Canadian
actress Lucy DeCoutere, waived her right to anonymity.
The three women testified that Ghomeshi, one of the top stars at
public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corp, hit them, pulled
their hair, or choked them during intimacy in 2002 and 2003.
The complaints arose after the CBC fired Ghomeshi in 2014 for
"consistently" breaching behavior standards. In response to
being fired, Ghomeshi said in a Facebook post that he
participates in "exciting" sex including dominance and
submission, but only with the consent of his partner.
The two-week trial in February stirred up anger among feminists
and victims' rights advocates, who said the three women were
attacked on the witness stand and that the country's judicial
system stigmatizes victims of sexual violence.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment specifically
on the Ghomeshi ruling in an interview with CP24, but he added
it may spark more discussion of the issue.
"I certainly think there will be a lot of discussions and a lot
of thoughtful proposals as we move forward on how we demonstrate
that violence against women in any type is unacceptable,"
Trudeau told the Toronto-based news channel.
Social media debate roared on hashtags #Ghomeshi and #ibelievesurvivors
after the verdict was announced, while protesters gathered at
the downtown Toronto courtroom chanting that they believed the
women. One woman was arrested after she charged the front steps
of the courthouse, topless, as the prosecutor spoke to media.
Prosecutor Michael Callaghan said his office would consider its
options after studying the verdict.
Ghomeshi and his lawyer declined to comment and avoided the
protesters by leaving through a back door at the court. His
sister Jila Ghomeshi told reporters the family would try to heal
after more than a year of "punishment" delivered before due
process.
(Additional reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Alan Crosby)
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