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Assault charge against lacrosse star heading to trial
Wednesday July 2 2008
By Richard Vivian, Staff Writer
 
Local lacrosse star Westlake “Nick” Rose is heading to trial for assault causing bodily harm. After several days of hearing evidence in the case, which dates back to October 2006, an Orangeville judge declared there’s enough evidence against the Junior A Northmen netminder to proceed.
Rose, then a member of the Junior B squad, and teammate Franklin Collins were charged with aggravated assault following an early morning incident outside Pizza Pizza on Broadway.
The alleged victim, police reported at the time, suffered severe head injuries and was taken to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto for treatment.
Lesser charge
In delivering his committal decision Thursday morning, Justice Douglas Maund ordered Rose to stand trail on the lesser, included charge of assault causing bodily harm. His reasons for downgrading the charge are based on evidence presented during a preliminary inquiry and are covered by a publication ban.
The justice also dismissed the charge against Collins, who continues to play for the Junior B Northmen.
“There is no direct evidence Mr. Collins attacked (the victim) at any time,” Maund said, suggesting Collins was the initial victim in the whole ordeal.
“The family is pleased with the outcome and they feel the result is just,” Collins’ attorney Richard Allman commented outside the courtroom.