The Vancouver trial of Gary Rudi Groenke, the former Sechelt RCMP officer and football coach accused of sexually assaulting three young boys in the '80s and '90s, is nearing its conclusion.
Testimony in the trial wrapped up on Friday, May 6, as Crown counsel Marion West concluded her cross-examination of Groenke, who took the stand in his own defence on Thursday, May 5.
After Madam Justice Mary Ellen Boyd adjourned the case several weeks ago, the trial resumed in Vancouver Supreme Court on May 4.
According to West, the case has now been adjourned until May 18 when both defence and Crown will give their closing arguments. Boyd will then set a date for the court to hear her ruling on the case.
This is the first of now two trials for Groenke. In February, Justice Boyd ruled on a severance application by defence counsel, deciding that Groenke should face three separate trials for each of his alleged victims.
A date to fix the second trial has been set for June 22, but the third trial will now not take place as Crown has decided to stay proceedings.
"Based on the evidence that has been presented in this first trial, the third trial no longer meets our charge approval standards, meaning there is not a likelihood of a conviction," West said. "Therefore, Crown has decided to stay proceedings on the third trial."
A publication ban has been imposed prohibiting the publication of anything that may identify the alleged victims or witnesses in the trial.
Groenke was acquitted in February 2008 in a Victoria courtroom of similar sex offences against minors.
