Defense Alleges Negligence in Stronach Trial Records

In the final stages of Canadian auto parts magnate Frank Stronach's sexual assault trial in Toronto, defence lawyers have accused prosecutors and police of negligence in documenting pre-trial meetings with complainants, arguing that critical evidence was irretrievably lost. The motion, presented Thursday by lawyer Leora Shemesh, claims the lack of records hinders the ability to challenge witness statements, potentially affecting the reliability of the Crown's case.

Stronach, the 93-year-old founder of Magna International, faces seven remaining charges related to alleged incidents decades ago involving four women. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial, heard by a judge alone, began with 12 counts stemming from accusations by seven complainants. Prosecutors later withdrew five charges connected to three of those women, narrowing the focus.

Court heard that in January, weeks before the trial started, all seven original complainants provided new police statements containing fresh details after final meetings with Crown attorneys. Shemesh argued that police and prosecutors, who attended most of these sessions, failed to record how the additional information emerged or what questions...