Man awaits judgement in sexual assault trial
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on November 2, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
An Alberta man who adamantly denied during his trial in September allegations of sexual assaults against his former girlfriend’s daughter, is still waiting to find out if the judge believed him.
During the conclusion of his trial Sept. 27 in Lethbridge provincial court, the accused, Edmond Armit, testified he never sexually touched the girl, who was between seven and eight years old during the alleged assaults more than 15 years ago.
Armit, who is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching, said he never touched the girl, exposed himself to her, or made her touch him, and claimed she is lying.
When the now adult woman testified at the start of the trial last June, she said the assaults often happened in the morning or evening while her mother was at work or asleep. The woman’s identity is protected by a publication ban.
Following the conclusion of the trial, the matter was adjourned to set a date for the judge’s decision. That decision was adjourned again when the matter returned to court Monday, and is now scheduled to be spoken to on Nov. 21.
The woman has also asked that the publication ban be lifted. However, the judge refused to rule on the request during the trial and before he hands down his decision.
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