Trial starts for Calgary psychiatrist accused of sex assault
Alleged victim claims to have captured 2 encounters on a spy cam
The trial for a Calgary psychiatrist accused of sexually assaulting his patients got underway Wednesday afternoon with the Crown briefly outlining its case and explaining that the 10 alleged victims will testify over the next few weeks.
Aubrey Levin, 73, is charged with sexually assaulting 10 male patients.
Det. Perry Patzwald, the lead investigator with the Calgary Police sex crimes unit, said one of the alleged victims who claims he was sexually assaulted by Levin told police he had captured two of the encounters on video by wearing a wristwatch with a spy cam.
"During the counselling sessions Dr. Levin had their genitals ... in his hands," said Crown prosecutor Bill Wister when describing the nature of the assaults to the court.
Previously, the lawyer for Levin argued his client was too ill to face trial, as he suffers from heart failure, diabetes and kidney problems.
His lawyer’s request to delay the proceedings was not granted.
Five women and seven men are serving as jurors and the trial is expected to last six weeks.
Most of the victims had a criminal record and were on medication at the time they met with Levin as part of a court order.