TORONTO — Frank Stronach will eventually be found not guilty on some of the charges he faces, an Ontario judge suggested Friday as the billionaire businessman’s sexual assault trial continues in Toronto.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy indicated that a not-guilty verdict would be entered on a charge of attempted rape after the Crown conceded it could not meet the necessary threshold on the mens rea, or mental state, of the accused.
The judge said, however, that she didn’t think “now is the time to do it.”
Molloy also said a not-guilty verdict would be entered on charges related to the sixth of the seven complainants, but did not specify when that would happen.
The sixth complainant took the stand last week but did not finish cross-examination due to health concerns. Prosecutors had withdrawn a charge of forcible confinement and sought to withdraw a charge of sexual assault related to that complainant.
Molloy’s comments came days after prosecutors finished presenting their evidence and as the defence prepares to make its case next week.
Stronach, who achieved fame and wealth as the founder of the auto parts giant Magna International, initially pleaded not guilty to 12 charges involving seven complainants. The charges stem from alleged incidents dating as far back as the 1970s.
All seven women have testified since the trial began mid-February, as has a friend and colleague of one of the complainants.
Court reconvened briefly Friday afternoon for legal arguments after taking a break Thursday to allow lawyers to prepare and consult on outstanding issues.
Earlier this week, defence lawyer Leora Shemesh said she would seek directed verdicts Friday on two charges. A motion for directed verdict asks the judge to enter a not-guilty verdict on grounds that the essential elements of the offence have not been met.
Crown prosecutor Jelena Vlacic argued Friday that the attempted rape charge could survive a motion for directed verdict because there is both direct and circumstantial evidence that could be relied on to convict.
However, after reviewing the evidence, the Crown has decided not to proceed with the charge, she said.
“It’s not a fruitful use of court resources to make detailed submissions on a directed verdict only to then fall short on a standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt” regarding the mens rea, she said.
The defence said its submissions regarding a sexual assault charge no longer counted as a motion for directed verdict but rather an “academic discussion” on how to deal with an alleged incident that could have taken place under two different legislative regimes.
The complainant in that charge testified that Stronach groped her in 1983 or 1984, but couldn’t rule out the possibility that it happened in 1982, Shemesh argued.
The charge of sexual assault was created in 1983 and replaced a number of sexual offences.
“The lack of clarity on the date in my view causes this case to be somewhat unique,” Shemesh argued.
Prosecutors said they will argue the complainant was clear the alleged incident took place in 1983.
Should the judge believe the complainant’s account beyond a reasonable doubt but remain unsure about the date, Stronach could be found guilty of assault, a lesser included charge that existed before and after the legislative change, they argued.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2026.
Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press
