ST-JEROME - New material evidence has emerged in the trial of Tania Pontbriand, a high school gym teacher accused of having a lengthy sexual relationship with one of her students.
The trial was supposed to begin Wednesday, but the emergence of this new evidence led to the postponement of that starting date to Nov. 24, though that date could change.
Pontbriand has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually exploiting a minor and one count of sexual assault against a male student at Rosemere High School, just north of Montreal.
The new evidence was produced by the alleged victim, who is now 22, and could drastically change the Crown's trial strategy because it links the accused directly to the victim.
It is now up to Pontbriand's defence attorney to examine the evidence and decide what to do moving forward.
"We'll see if the defence asks for a new trial or a continuance for the trial or not," said prosecutor Claudia Carbonneau. "The ball is in the defence's court.'
The alleged relationship with the student began in 2002 and lasted until 2004 when she ended it. The student did not immediately file a complaint with police and charges were laid in September, 2008.
Pontbriand was suspended from her job pending the outcome of her trial.
With files from Canadian Press
