Photo by Whitehorse Star
David Laxton
Accused MLA appears in court
David Laxton appeared in territorial court for less than a minute this morning.
David Laxton appeared in territorial court for less than a minute this morning.
Laxton, the independent MLA for Porter Creek Centre, was charged in August with sexual assault.
Dressed in a suit and tie this morning, Laxton said nothing while his lawyer, Mike Reynolds, asked for additional time to review the disclosure (the Crown’s evidence in the case) and discuss it with Laxton.
Justice of the Peace Sharman Morrison agreed to this request.
Laxton stepped down as the Speaker of the legislature and left the Yukon Party caucus in May after allegations of his sexual harassment of a local woman surfaced.
At the time, Laxton issued a statement calling those allegations false. He said he had twice hugged and kissed the complainant, a “long-time acquaintance”, when she visited the legislative assembly building that day.
In July, he and the woman making those allegations issued a joint statement with the Yukon Human Rights Commission saying the two had come to a “mutually agreeable resolution.”
Laxton will appear in court again on Oct. 12.
The Yukon Party has indicated he is not welcome to run for it in the coming election.
Laxton has not publicly indicated whether he will be an independent candidate.
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Comments (4)
Up 16 Down 11
Rose on Sep 23, 2016 at 11:16 am
“Destruction of David’s Life?” Get real! What year is it again? Do we still shame and blame victims? What an absolutely ignorant thing to say. Let the Courts figure it out and don’t be shocked if the charges stick. Often people are not charged if they did nothing. This is the kind of attitude that leaves so many victims of sexual assault re-victimized and it is wrong! If he’s innocent that will be proven by the court. Who the hell kisses a colleague on the lips twice? David, was the Speaker of The House and should have had enough common sense to keep his lips to himself. I am literally dumbfounded by the ignorance.
Up 23 Down 22
fairness on Sep 21, 2016 at 8:47 pm
I love how you assume it's Laxton's life that is being destroyed. The man did it to himself. And the YP let him off easy by letting him resign rather that showing strength and giving him the boot like they should have. They did the same thing with Yukon Party member Haakon Arntzen, who was found guilty of indecently assaulting children. There's no party like a Yukon Party, eh?
Up 33 Down 2
jc on Sep 21, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Well, if the woman and Laxton came to an mutually agreeable resolution, why is this in court? Was there a breakdown in the resolution since?
Up 48 Down 20
drum on Sep 21, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Now it is in court do we know the name of his accuser???????
I think it is terrible destruction of Davids life.