What to know about today’s not guilty decision
The sexual assault trial for former Kitchener, Ont., neurologist Jeffrey Sloka began nearly five years ago.
On Friday, he was found not guilty on 48 charges involving patients he saw when he was practising, before the Ontario college representing doctors revoked his licence in 2019.
The allegations date back to 2010.
Justice Craig Parry had prepared a 1,002-page ruling document, but gave a short summary of the case and his findings before a courtroom packed with supporters of the former patients and Sloka’s family.
“I accept that [Sloka] adequately proposed, identified and explained each examination he acknowledged performing,” Parry said.
“Having looked at the totality of the evidence of each count, I’ve concluded that on each count, the Crown has failed to prove that Dr. Sloka used medical examinations as a ruse to gain access to the bodies of his female patients.”
Parry also found each patient “provided unreliable evidence” to some degree.
His rulings drew immediate reaction from those in the courtroom, with some shouting “shame” and crying.
Groups of people had gathered outside the courthouse well before the 10 a.m. ET start of proceedings, holding up signs and expressing support for Sloka’s former patients.
The allegations first surfaced in 2017. Sloka had patients presenting with issues from migraines to head injuries.
During his trial, which took years because of a variety of delays, court was told Sloka asked patients to undress so he could perform a physical or skin examination, including breast and pelvic exams.
Patients took to the witness box. Sloka also testified, in his own defence, either denying the allegations or justifying them.
At one point, Sloka had 76 charges against him. Charges were dropped at the request of the Crown.
Many supporters of the complainants stayed outside the courthouse to express upset about the judge’s decisions.
Sloka’s lawyer also spoke to the media briefly, saying all his client wanted was a fair trial, and Sloka “wants people to know how grateful he is for all the people who supported him.”
