Canadian singer Jacob Hoggard has decided to abandon his attempt to challenge his 2022 conviction before Canada’s top court.
Hoggard, who rose to fame as the lead singer of the band Hedley, was convicted in 2022 of sexual assault and interference. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Hoggard’s legal team had filed an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, arguing that the trial judge had made errors in instructing the jury and that the evidence presented was insufficient to support a conviction.
However, in a statement released on Monday, Hoggard’s lawyer confirmed that they have withdrawn the application for leave to appeal.
“Mr. Hoggard has made the difficult decision to accept the verdict and sentence handed down by the court,” the statement read.
Hoggard’s decision to abandon his appeal comes after the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in October, upholding his conviction and sentence.
The Court of Appeal had found that the trial judge had not made any errors in instructing the jury and that the evidence presented was sufficient to support the conviction.
Hoggard’s conviction and sentence have been met with mixed reactions from the public. While some have expressed support for the victims and the justice system, others have criticized the length of the sentence and the handling of the case.
Hoggard’s decision to abandon his appeal means that his conviction and sentence will stand. He will remain in prison for the remainder of his sentence.
The Supreme Court of Canada receives thousands of applications for leave to appeal each year, but only a small percentage are granted. In order for an application to be granted, it must raise a question of national importance or a significant legal issue.
Hoggard’s case has garnered significant media attention and sparked important conversations about sexual assault and consent. However, it appears that the Supreme Court of Canada will not be weighing in on this particular case.
This decision marks the end of a lengthy legal battle for Hoggard, who has maintained his innocence throughout the process. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the former frontman of Hedley.
