An employee inside a downtown strip club testified on Thursday she saw a police officer grope a stripper and then point his handgun at her moments later.
At the sexual assault trial of Const. Joseph Green, the coat check attendant said the traffic officer touched the complainant's breasts during the incident in October 2004.
When the dancer scolded Green, he pulled out his service-issued handgun, pointed it at her and told her to "dance," the witness testified. She was the second witness to corroborate the complainant's story.
A bouncer who was working at For Your Eyes Only on the night of the incident, however, testified on Thursday he never saw Green commit the lewd act.
The bouncer told the court he saw the on-duty constable and stripper "laughing and joking." The man also said he never saw a handgun, and added Green later helped him eject some rowdy American patrons who had tried to enter the club with fake identification.
Green, an eight-year veteran, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm. He is expected to testify on Friday.
His lawyer, Gary Clewley, said the officer never pulled out a handgun. Clewley said the item was a police radio, which may have looked like a gun inside the dark club.
Clewley said his client was inside the strip club on the night of the incident for a "legitimate" reason -- to keep an eye on the place and ensure the safety of those inside.
Clewley accused the stripper on Wednesday of lying about the touching and gun pointing. He said the dancer filed a $250,000 lawsuit against Green and the police force, suggesting she was hoping for a quick cash settlement.
After being charged, the constable had his firearm taken away and he was reassigned to desk duties.
The trial continues on Friday. Green is being tried by a judge alone.
With a report from CTV's Chris Eby
