Nick Cousins is a polarizing figure in hockey and in life at this point in time. A very good hockey player who is also an accused sexual assault participant. He stands accused along with Andrew Fritsch and Mark Petaccio for a complaint made by a female in the late summer of 2012.
At a court appearance in which the three players were not present, the lawyer for the three players, requested a new date for the case, which has been set for April 4, 2013. None of the three players have been in court since initially facing charges.
While cousins has been having a great OHL season, the community is becoming divided. Many are now saying that these three players are receiving special treatment from the courts. The constant delays are said to be linked to delays in determining which OHL teams will compete in the playoffs.
Local community members in Sault Ste. Marie are calling for the courts to act more swiftly in this matter. While the accusations were made in August of 2012, no movement has been made in the case. Roughly seven months between court appearances is highly unusual when looking at other cases moved through the courts docket.
Sault Ste. Marie is a great small market hockey city. When the community turns against one of its own players, that player has a problem. If the community turns against its own court system, then some elected officials may have some problems as well.
The real problem though is that the woman who has allegedly been assaulted has yet to have her day in court to face those that have been accused.
