Quebec Court of Appeal Orders New Trial for Shayne Corson's Son in Sexual Assault Case
The Quebec Court of Appeal has directed a new trial for Noah-Lee Jetté-Corson, the son of former Montreal Canadien Shayne Corson, following his conviction two years ago for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of consent. The appellate court ruled that the trial judge erred in finding that Jetté-Corson did not sufficiently verify the victim's age, a critical factor in the case.
Background of the Case
Noah-Lee Jetté-Corson, now 28 and a former player for the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was convicted on February 9, 2024, of sexually assaulting a minor alongside other participants. The incident allegedly occurred in late 2016 when Jetté-Corson was active in the QMJHL. His father, Shayne Corson, is a well-known former Montreal Canadiens player who competed from 1985 to 1992.
The complainant, who was 15 years old at the time of the assault, testified that she engaged in sexual activity with Jetté-Corson and two 17-year-old males in her bedroom. She described suffering from intense depression afterward, requiring psychiatric treatment in a hospital, and stated that the assault had a catastrophic impact on her sex life. The two 17-year-olds involved pleaded guilty in youth court.
Trial and Sentencing Details
During the trial at the Drummondville courthouse, evidence indicated that the girl was performing fellatio on the two 17-year-olds when Jetté-Corson entered the room and had intercourse without her consent. On May 5, 2025, the trial judge sentenced Jetté-Corson to a prison term of two years less a day. He was released on bail while his appeal was pending, awaiting further legal proceedings.
Appellate Court's Decision
On Thursday, the Quebec Court of Appeal overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial, citing a judicial error. The court found that the trial judge failed to properly consider Jetté-Corson's efforts to determine the girl's age. According to the Criminal Code, nuances apply when the age difference between the accused and complainant is minimal, as in this case where Jetté-Corson was less than three years older than the victim. This allows for a defence based on an honest mistake regarding age.
The appellate court noted that the trial judge did not factor in Jetté-Corson's testimony explaining why he assumed the girl was over the age of consent. He testified that he believed she was 18, citing her friendship with a college student, her presence on Tinder—an app he thought was restricted to adults—and her mention of visiting a bar in Drummondville that he had frequented. Additionally, he described the apartment where they met as small and like a student's apartment, and noted that one of the 17-year-olds informed him they were going to her apartment.
Implications and Next Steps
This ruling highlights the complexities in sexual assault cases involving age verification and consent issues. The new trial will reassess the evidence, focusing on whether Jetté-Corson made a reasonable error regarding the victim's age. The decision underscores the importance of judicial accuracy in applying legal standards, particularly in sensitive matters like sexual assault involving minors.
The case continues to draw public attention due to the high-profile nature of the Corson family and its implications for legal precedents in Quebec. Further developments are expected as the new trial proceeds, with potential impacts on similar cases in the future.
