Toronto — As Jian Ghomeshi awaits the March 24 verdict in his sexual assault case, he has broken his silence with both fists.
After hearing the evidence provided by New Brunswicker Lucy DeCoutere as well as two other alleged victims, the former CBC broadcaster is admitting some responsibility for the incidents in question. Ghomeshi says that his poor communication skills caused the bad feelings of his accusers toward him and he needs to work on that.
“I love surprises and I love rough sex, but I’ve learned that ‘surprise rough sex’ isn’t really a thing,” said Ghomeshi. “While I was fancying myself as Canada’s answer to Christian Grey, I guess to these women I was just a minor celebrity who was punching and choking them. After the trial, I can see now that I did this to myself… and of course, also to them.”
Ghomeshi is currently on trial for sexual assault, and one count of overcoming resistance by choking — an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. In late 2014, he was arrested and charged with 4 counts of sexual assault and one count of choking, in relation to 3 complainants. He was charged with 3 additional counts related to 3 more women on Jan. 8, 2015. On Oct. 1, 2015, Ghomeshi pled not guilty to one count of choking and 4 counts of sexual assault.
“Sure, I think the trial evidence showed that these women had mixed feelings toward me after the alleged incidents,” remarked Ghomeshi. “But, I think you’d kind of expect that in a situation where a ‘Canada-famous’ guy is romancing you, making you feel special, and then suddenly starts choking you. I can see now how that would cause confusion.”
At this point, Ghomeshi is hoping that he can stay out of prison despite his error in judgement. “I hear surprise rough sex also happens behind bars, but it’s not the kind I’m used to. I’d like to avoid that at all costs.”