One of the sisters of tennis star Eugénie Bouchard got to see the face of the man accused of criminally harassing her on social media for three years as his preliminary hearing got underway.
Danny Arsenault, 40, is charged with two counts of criminally harassing Charlotte Bouchard, 23. The alleged incidents took place between 2014 and 2017.
Bouchard, dressed in black, testified calmly and clearly at the hearing this morning, even as Arsenault sat just inches away from her. Her testimony and other evidence presented at the hearing are protected by a publication ban.
Arsenault, wearing a navy hoodie and grey sweatpants, told the court that in his view, there was nothing aggressive in what happened.
Charlotte Bouchard, sister of tennis star Eugénie Bouchard, done testifying in preliminary inquiry of Danny Arsenault, charged with criminally harassing her on social media. “Hopefully this can help and encourage anybody to speak out that’s going through this as well.” #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/Jz58HUBR1p
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) January 10, 2019
The accused did not have a lawyer but was represented by a legal aid attorney who was instructed by Arsenault not to ask any questions about Bouchard's testimony.
Speaking to reporters later, Bouchard said by coming forward, she hopes this can serve as an example.
"Hopefully this can help and encourage anybody to speak out that's going through this as well," said Bouchard, who was accompanied by her father.
A police investigator and a civilian are also expected to testify.
The case resumes next month.
Charlotte Bouchard, sister of tennis star Eugénie Bouchard, testifying in court today at preliminary hearing of Danny Arseneault, charged with criminally harassing her on social media. There is a publication ban on her testimony and other evidence. #CJAD800
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) January 10, 2019