UPDATE 3-Canadian radio star not guilty of sexual assault, judge questions accusers

(Updates with quote from prime minister)
By Andrea Hopkins
TORONTO, March 24 (Reuters) - Disgraced Canadian radio
personality Jian Ghomeshi was found not guilty of sexual assault
on Thursday when a judge ruled that none of his three accusers
were credible, sparking debate over how the country's judicial
system treats victims of sexual violence.
In a 25-page verdict, Judge William Horkins noted
inconsistencies in the testimony of all three complainants,
saying one had "played chicken with the justice system," while
another was "manipulative" and a third "deceptive."
The high-profile case has drawn parallels with that of
entertainer Bill Cosby, a national figure in the United States
who faces multiple accusations of sexual abuse over many years.
Cosby has long denied the allegations.
Ghomeshi, the 48-year-old former host of Q, an
internationally syndicated music and arts program, had pleaded
not guilty to all charges. He did not testify in the trial, but
admitted in a 2014 Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) post that he participated in rough,
but consensual, sex. He faces another trial in June for a
different count of sexual assault.
"The evidence of each complainant suffered not just from
inconsistencies and questionable behavior, but was tainted by
outright deception," Horkins said in his decision.
Two of the complainants cannot be named, while one, Canadian
actress Lucy DeCoutere, waived her right to anonymity.
The three women testified that Ghomeshi, one of the top
stars at public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corp, hit
them, pulled their hair, or choked them during intimacy in 2002
and 2003.
The complaints arose after the CBC fired Ghomeshi in 2014
for "consistently" breaching behavior standards. In response to
being fired, Ghomeshi said in a Facebook post that he
participates in "exciting" sex including dominance and
submission, but only with the consent of his partner.
The two-week trial in February stirred up anger among
feminists and victims' rights advocates, who said the three
women were attacked on the witness stand and that the country's
judicial system stigmatizes victims of sexual violence.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment
specifically on the Ghomeshi ruling in an interview with CP24,
but he added it may spark more discussion of the issue.
"I certainly think there will be a lot of discussions and a
lot of thoughtful proposals as we move forward on how we
demonstrate that violence against women in any type is
unacceptable," Trudeau told the Toronto-based news channel.
Social media debate roared on hashtags #Ghomeshi and
#ibelievesurvivors after the verdict was announced, while
protesters gathered at the downtown Toronto courtroom chanting
that they believed the women. One woman was arrested after she
charged the front steps of the courthouse, topless, as the
prosecutor spoke to media.
Prosecutor Michael Callaghan said his office would consider
its options after studying the verdict.
Ghomeshi and his lawyer declined to comment and avoided the
protesters by leaving through a back door at the court. His
sister Jila Ghomeshi told reporters the family would try to heal
after more than a year of "punishment" delivered before due
process.