Jian Ghomeshi has pleaded not guilty to all five charges against him.
Clean shaven and clad in a pinstripe suit, Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault, and one count of overcome resistance – choking.
He is set to stand trial on four of five sexual assault charges and an overcoming resistance charge beginning on Feb. 1, 2016. A second trial, which will deal with the final sexual assault count, will begin on June 6, 2016.
The Crown cited a different factual context as the reason for the separate trials.
Ghomeshi, 48, wishes to be tried by an Ontario Court judge and not a jury.
A publication ban has been put in place that prevents anyone from identifying the victims.
The former ‘Q’ host is currently out on $100,000 bail and must stay with his mother as part of the terms of his release.
Agencies/Canadajournal