A trial we cannot talk about has started in a court we cannot name.
The Crown has opened its case in the trial of a man facing eight sex-related charges.
An existing suppression order prohibits publication of any details which could lead to the defendant being identified.
The order, which the trial judge confirmed yesterday, suppresses the man's name, age, occupation, place of work, any positions held in the past, as well as any details of the man's family.
Also suppressed are specific details of the charges against the man, and the name of the court where the case is being heard.
In the course of the trial, which is expected to last about six days, the jury will hear evidence from 25 witnesses for the Crown.
During the selection process yesterday morning, 25 potential jurors were called by name.
Four were challenged by the defence, three by the Crown and another five were stood aside after speaking to the judge. One other was not present in court.
A juror who was selected and sworn in was later discharged and replaced by another.
When the hearing began, the judge told the eight women and four men to keep an open mind and not to decide anything until they had heard all the evidence.
They had to listen ``fearlessly, objectively, and unemotionally'', without sympathy or prejudice, he said.
He reminded them the Crown had the duty of proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant did not have to prove anything.
In a brief opening statement, the man's counsel told the jury the defence was ``uncomplicated''. The man had not done any of the things alleged against him.
The trial continues today.
