A verdict in the case of Pemberton's Roger Molinaro will be delivered June 25, in Pemberton Provincial Court.
Molinaro faces six charges related to allegations of historical sexual assault. He was originally tried in 2021 and convicted on seven counts, and sentenced to five and a half years in August 2022.
On Dec. 11, 2023, his legal team successfully appealed the conviction to the B.C. Court of Appeal. Molinaro was acquitted on one charge, while the Crown proceeded with the remaining six charges in his second appearance.
The second trial took place over eight days in October 2024, with closing arguments spanning four days from March 17 to 21 in North Vancouver Provincial Court.
The trial detailed disturbing allegations against the accused, spanning several years in and near Pemberton.
The alleged victims were between the ages of nine and 12 or 13 and six and 12, respectively, at the time of the purported offences. With their permission and the lifting of a publication ban in April 2024, Pique identified them when reporting the closing arguments. Xiola Aldrich and Katelyn Pidperyhora are the complainants in the case against Molinaro.
While the trial has shifted back and forth between Pemberton and North Vancouver, the judge will provide her verdict in the town where the alleged offences occurred.
Check back with Pique for the verdict.
