Jian Ghomeshi, a 48-year-old former CBC radio host in Toronto charged with sexual assault, has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set to begin Feb. 1 , according to CBC News.
Ghomeshi was given eight charges originally, but after two of them were dropped by the Canadian crown, due to its belief that there would be no reasonable prospect of conviction, he now faces six. This includes five counts of sexual assault and one count of choking. He pleaded not guilty to five charges, but is being tried separately for one of the counts of sexual assault. The first trial will begin Feb. 1, 2016 and the second trial for the last charge is set for June 6, 2016, according to CP24.
The alleged sexual assaults occurred between 2002 and 2008. Ghomeshi has denied these charges claiming that the sex was consensual, but "rough," according to San Jose Mercury News. He said that he is not guilty and is simply a victim of a disgruntled girlfriend.
The former host asked for trial by judge instead of jury, and the victims identity has not been revealed. He was released on $100,000 bail and ordered to stay with his mother as a term of release.
