‘Sexsomnia’ case being appealed again in Brockville
Posted Mar 28, 2019 11:28:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Another twist in the so-called 'sexsomnia' case in Brockville sees the accused appeal his conviction, again.
Ryan Hartman was convicted twice of sexually assaulting Bekah D'Aoust at a house party in 2011 but claimed that he was asleep during the assault, and unaware of what he was doing.
In February, Hartman launched a “Jordan” appeal; arguing that his conviction should be tossed out because his right to a trial within a reasonable timeframe was violated.
The judge in the case waved the appeal and sentenced Hartman to a year in prison, three years on probation and a decade on the sex offender registry.
Hartman has obtained a new lawyer and is appealing the judge's decision to toss out his Jordan appeal.
Hartman has also applied for bail pending the appeal. A bail hearing is set for April 2 at 2 p.m. in Brockville.
The victim in the case, Bekah D'Aoust, requested a publication ban on her name be lifted in early March, which was approved by a judge.
D'Aoust hopes that her case gives other sexual assault victims the courage to come forward.
