A Halifax lawyer accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in March 2011 has spent two days on the stand, testifying in his own defence.
Lyle Howe, 29, has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
On Monday, Howe told the court how he met up with the woman at a bar and then at his law offices, followed by her apartment.
He said she poured them a drink and they started to play a game of pool. He said there was some sexual touching and sexual activity.
Howe testified the woman was a willing participant and told the court she wasn’t impaired.
After being cross-examined on Tuesday, he told the court he has more to say, but would like to wait before saying it.
“I want to, but I can’t yet…soon…Friday,” said Howe outside the courtroom.
Much of Tuesday’s cross-examination was spent sorting through phone records, calls and texts sent to and from the complainant’s phone.
The Crown suggested Howe was making blocked calls to the woman after the alleged assault, but Howe told the court he disagreed.
The woman previously told the court that she doesn’t remember anything from the night of the alleged assault. She testified that she awoke the next morning feeling sore, and suspected that she had been drugged and sexually assaulted.
But Howe testified that he didn’t give the woman any drugs and said she didn’t black out that night.
“The things that they’re saying conveniently fit the story,” he said. “I think my story is the truth.”
Closing arguments will be heard Wednesday afternoon.
“Most relevant is Mr. Howe’s evidence that this was a consensual situation and credibility of course comes into play in a significant way,” says defence lawyer Mike Taylor.
“Sexual assault is one of the counts here and there’s now no question that sexual activity took place, so it becomes an offence only if there is a lack of consent, so that’s got to be key,” says Crown prosecutor Darcy MacPherson.
Following closing arguments, court will adjourn until Friday morning.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster
