By Harry Sullivan
TRURO DAILY NEWS
TRUR0 - The fate of two Truro men accused of sexually assaulting a woman last September is now in the hands of the jury.
The 12-person jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon after receiving final instructions from Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Robert Wright. But after meeting in jury chambers for about five hours, the panel was excused at about 6:30 p.m., after which they were sequestered for the night at a local hotel.
Earlier in the day, Wright told the group that in deciding the case, “… you have to rely on what you remember the evidence was.”
And he stressed to the group the importance that they must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the men had perpetuated the crimes they are charged with.
“So it’s not enough for you to believe that either or both of them are probably or likely to be guilty,” he said, adding that the evidence presented during the trial made it “patently obvious that credibility is front and centre in the case.”
Robert (Bobby) Henry Desmond, 49, and Michael Shane Paris, 48, are each charged with sexual assault, sexual assault with an electric razor, bodily harm during a sexual assault, confinement, uttering threats and assault. Desmond has pleaded guilty to the assault charge while Paris has pled not guilty to all charges.
Testimony from the trial alleged the pair sexually assaulted the woman (whose identity is banned from publication) after both of them had simultaneous sex with her on the evening of Sept. 18.
The jury is to continue its deliberation Friday morning.
See tomorrow’s Daily News for full story.
