Ex-soldier acquitted in 2nd sex assault trial

Jurors deliberated just over an hour before finding Orman Savage, a former master corporal, not guilty of sexually assaulting a young female recruit during an incident in a military washroom in 2004.

"All I can say is that I am glad to see that this nightmare is over after five and a half years and to finally see justice actually be done," Savage said outside court.

Savage, 40, was accused of sexually assaulting the woman, then 21, in a large bathroom stall at a military party in Edmonton. Her identity is protected by a publication ban.

It was the ex-reservist's second trial on the sexual assault charge.

He was originally found guilty by a provincial court judge in 2007 and sentenced to three years in prison. But the Alberta Court of Appeal ordered a new trial last April.

This time Orman chose to be tried in the Court of Queen's Bench by a judge and jury. He testified the young recruit had come on to him, not the other way around.

The alleged victim, who was in the courtroom, stared at the floor and clenched her fists when the jury foreman said the words, "Not guilty."  

The woman had testified she was sexually assaulted by Savage but said there was a great deal she couldn't remember since she blacked out and suffered a concussion after he slammed her head against a wall.

Savage claimed it was the woman who made sexual advances. He said a female soldier called him to the bathroom stall because the young woman who later accused him of rape was throwing up after having too much to drink. Savage sent the soldier to get help.

The young recruit fell backwards while she was hunched over the toilet, vomiting, Savage told the jury. As he helped her up, she threw her arms around his neck and said, "I've been wanting to do this for a long time." Then she tried to kiss him, Savage said.

In closing arguments Friday, defence lawyer Brian Beresh challenged the credibility of the female recruit. 

"I would suggest much of her story is like a Hollywood script," Beresh told jurors. "But she's written the scenes to be all in her favour."