Assault trial begins for former Yellowknife city councillor

Witness testimony in the trial of a former Yellowknife city councillor accused of assault began in Northwest Territories Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Robin Williams, who served one term on Yellowknife city council beginning in 2018, and who owns the store Williams Electronics, is facing 14 charges. The charges, which include assault and sexual assault, date from 2014 to 2022.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. All the charges involve the same alleged female victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

The jury trial for Williams is being held at the Yellowknife courthouse. 

In his opening address on Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Brian Bencze told jurors that they would be hearing testimony alleging that Williams committed acts including choking the woman, slamming her head into a car door, and breaking her finger. 

Jurors also heard from the alleged victim, who was the first witness to testify.

Tuesday was the second day of the trial, which is scheduled to run for 10 days. Jury selection happened on Monday.