By Sheldon Spackman

closing arguments

Trial concludes for former Mountie accused of sexually assaulting colleague

Dec 3, 2020 | 5:34 PM

Closing arguments wrapped up on Thursday in the trial of a former RCMP officer accused of sexually assaulting a colleague at an off-duty party in northern Alberta eight years ago.

Jason Andrew Tress, 34, is charged with one count of sexual assault in the March 1, 2012 alleged incident which took place in Faust, AB, where Tress was stationed at the time before moving to Red Deer.

The complainant, whose name is protected under a publication ban, testified that after getting drunk at a party she was hosting for a fellow member who was soon to be transferred, she was sexually assaulted by Tress.

She told court that at some point during the evening, she was escorted by Tress and another woman to her bedroom, before that woman soon left to get her an Advil.

‘I remember closing my eyes,” she recounted. “Then I remember opening my eyes and Constable Tress had his mouth on my left breast.”

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Tress denied those claims while on the stand on Wednesday, telling court he made no apology to his colleague “because nothing ever happened.”

Closing arguments were presented to Justice Nathan J. Whitling following testimony from five different defense witnesses on Thursday.

Defense lawyer Maurice Collard focused his argument on the credibility of the complainant, who still works as an RCMP constable, saying she gave numerous versions of the events that night, and didn’t remember very specific issues.

“It (her story) changed from peering, to groping, to kissing or sucking,” said Collard. “Her story changes only when she is told by ASIRT that there may be other issues.

“There is no reason not to believe Mr. Tress and his evidence which lined up with everybody else’s,” added Collard.

Crown prosecutor Photini Papadatou, however, dismissed Collard’s suggestion that the complainant was not credible.

“She’s a credible witness,” she suggested. ”She testified in a straight forward manner and did not try to make herself look good. She gave reasons for why she did what she did.”

“This woman is a young woman, became intoxicated in her own house amongst friends and was put to bed by people who she believed were her friends,” remarked Papadatou, “and a colleague took advantage of her.”

Justice Whitley is expected to give his decision on Friday.