Wilbur Dedam trial hears from husband of alleged victim

The spouse of a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by formerEsgenopetitjFirst Nation chief Wilbur Dedamwhen she was a child testified he rememberedbeing at a party with the two of them when Dedam broke down and said sorry to her.

The man, who is a former band councillor who served under Dedam, said he also knewthe two other women who have accused Dedam of sex crimes against them when they were young girls.

Dedam, 62, is on trial in the Court of Queen's Bench in Miramichion six sex-related charges dating between 1977-85.

• Wilbur Dedam trial hears from 3rd woman alleging sex abuse

A publication ban prevents reporting the names of theaccusers or any information that would identify them.

On Monday, the third woman, now 43, testified she confrontedDedam10 years ago at a party at his daughter's house.

"My life isn't ruined and I'm not messed up and I forgive you because someone must have done something really wrong to you," she testified she said toDedam.

She recalledDedamsaying "I'm sorry," and nothing more.

Under cross-examination by defencelawyer T.J. Burke confirmedDedamdidn't confess exactly why he was sorry.

Burke did challenge the recall of the witness about the party, given that all were drinking at the time.

The witness testified he never spoke to his spouse about the allegations, but said the alleged victim who testified first "used to always throw comments" aboutDedam.

He said she started opening up to him more in the past few years as she started going to therapy.

The first witness to testify Tuesday was a 46-year-old woman who is related to one of thealleged victims.

She testified she sawthe youngest alleged victim sitting outsideDedam'shouse as achild. She went to sit with herand the child said she was scared andconfidedDedamwanted to make love to her.

The witness said she told a relative about her conversation with the girl and another one of the witness's family members then went to theDedamhome. She then saw them running down the shore, away fromDedam'shome.

Due to scheduling issues, Justice TraceyDeWare adjourned the trial until Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

On Thursday, the Crown is expected to call its final witness, who will testify by video conference.

DeWare indicated the trial is likely to continue all next week.

To date in the trial, the six men and six women on the jury have heard testimony from three women who allegeDedamsexually molested them when they were teenage girls or younger.

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