Closing arguments begin Monday in sexual assault trial against native healer

By Keith Lacey Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Closing arguments will begin Monday in the trial of a traditional native healer from the Williams Lake area charged with sexual assault while performing native healing sessions against several women in Penticton two years ago in the fall of 2022. Donald Wayne Ashley was charged with sexual assault after several different women accused him of inappropriate touching during traditional native healing sessions over a four-day period two years ago. Ashley, who did not testify during the trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the seven-man, five-woman jury (there is also one male and one female alternate jurors) at the Penticton courthouse. On Friday, defence counsel Mark Norha and Crown attorney Andrew Vandersluys made legal arguments before Justice Michael Brundrett relating to…

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