All five former Team Canada players—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote—have been acquitted of charges of sexual assault.

McLeod was also found not guilty of an additional charge of being a party to the offence.

McLeod’s lawyer David Humphrey, says his client had confidence in the justice process. Humphrey calls the not guilty verdicts a “resounding vindication” for McLeod and his co-accused.

Humphrey told reporters in London, Ontario that public perception was “shaped by a one-sided narrative from a civil lawsuit that went unchallenged, in large part because Hockey Canada settled the claim without first informing, or consulting, the players.” He says “It was only through this criminal trial that the allegations were fully and finally tested.”

The Crown says its goal was to ensure a fair trial, and the Crown prosecutor says they’ll review Judge Maria Carraccia’s decision.

E.M.’s defence lawyer, Karen Bellehumeur, says her client is disappointed with Justice Carraccia’s assessment of her honesty and reliability. She praised E.M. for coming forward and choosing to testify.

“Her treatment during cross-examination at times was insulting, unfair, mocking and disrespectful,” and she says nine days of testimony was more than her client ever expected.