The sexual assault trial of Snowbird pilot Maj. Steven Hurlbut has wrapped up at the Barrie courthouse.
Hurlbut has pleaded not guilty at the outset of a trial that has taken place over several days starting in October. Originally scheduled for three days, the trial has taken more than twice that long, but is now nearing completion.
Both sides presented their final submissions, mostly written, to Ontario Court Justice Jodie-Lynn Waddilove on Friday.
Both the Crown and defence will meet in trial scheduling court on July 14 to set a date for when Waddilove will render her judgment, which is expected in August.
The Crown has alleged that Hurlbut assaulted a woman, whose identity is covered by publication ban, in his room at the Allure Hotel on Fairview Road two years ago.
Both the alleged victim and Hurlbut were in town as part of Barrie Airshow that was being held that week.
Hurlbut took the stand in his own defence and flatly denied any wrongdoing.
What was supposed to be a relatively short trial took longer than expected in part because a defence witness presented evidence that led to a delay and then a recall to testify in April.
That witness’s testimony lasted barely 15 minutes on recall, but the delay and resulting scramble to find available court time has pushed back Waddilove’s judgment several months.
