Trial begins for former principal of Sask. private Christian school facing assault charges

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-trial-begins-duff-friesen-christian-school-former-principal-paddling-9.7335921

Duff Friesen faces 5 counts of assault with a weapon over allegations he struck students with wooden paddle

The former principal of a private Christian school in Saskatoon is in Court of King’s Bench this week for a jury trial over allegations that he assaulted students nearly two decades ago.

Duff Arthur Friesen faces five counts of assault with a weapon.

The charges stem from his time at Christian Centre Academy from 1997 to 2007. The school was later renamed Legacy Christian Academy, then Valour Academy. It’s closely associated with Mile Two Church, now called Encounter Church.

A jury of 12 members was selected.

The trial is overseen by Justice Daryl Labach. Two weeks have been set aside, but that could change depending on how the trial unfolds.

Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo made opening remarks to the jury.

She said the jury will hear about how interconnected the church and school are. They will also hear from five complainants, who will testify about what happened to them at the school at the hands of then-principal Friesen, Fillo said.

The Crown’s first witness was Coy Nolin, a former student and one of the complainants.

He testified that Friesen struck him with a paddle during his last year at the school, in the early 2000s.

Nolin described the paddle as being similar to a wooden cricket bat, around 10 to 12 inches in length and less than an inch in width. He said it was used as a way to discipline students.

Nolin is expected to continue testifying Wednesday.

Friesen is represented by Daniel Mol, who will cross-examine Nolin.