André Gagnon not guilty of sex assault, finds military court
Former corporal Stéphanie Raymond accused Gagnon of sexual assault at Lévis armoury in 2011
Warrant officer André Gagnon has been found not guilty of sexual assault by a military court.
The court martial’s five-man jury rendered its unanimous decision on Friday after considering the matter for three days.
Gagnon, 48, faced 10 years in prison if a guilty verdict had been returned in the case, which saw the warrant officer accused of sexually assaulting former corporal Stéphanie Raymond.
Raymond alleged that Gagnon assaulted her in December 2011 at the Régiment de la Chaudière armoury in Lévis, Quebec.
Raymond accused Gagnon of taking advantage of his position as her superior and maintained that the encounter was not consensual.
Gagnon’s lawyer, Maj. Philippe-Luc Boutin, questioned Raymond's credibility and portrayed her as calculating and manipulative.
Gagnon hugged Boutin when the verdict was pronounced.
Raymond was not present for the verdict on Friday.
The prosecution now has 30 days to consider an appeal.
Prosecuting lawyer Maj. Gabriel Roy said he will assess that possibility in the coming weeks.