John and Leigh Ann de Ruiter to plead not guilty to sexual assault charges
A self-proclaimed spiritual leader and his wife will plead not guilty to sexual assault charges against them, their lawyer tells CTV News Edmonton.
John and Leigh Ann de Ruiter run a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy, or the Oasis Group.
John de Ruiter is accused of sexually assaulting seven of the women in his group between 2012 and 2020.
His wife Leigh Ann is facing five counts of sexual assault.
Police told CTV News the five incidents were the same ones in which her husband has also been charged.
The couple will be tried together.
Dino Bottos, who represents the de Ruiters, spoke to CTV News Edmonton about the case on Thursday.
"This week, the de Ruiters elected to proceed by judge and jury and move this case to the Court of (King's) Bench of Alberta," Bottos said. "They will be entering pleas of not guilty and readying themselves for what will be a lengthy trial."
Bottos confirmed the pair remain out on bail but would not discuss the bail conditions.
"We do not intend to fight the charges in the court of public opinion, where people are apt to jump to conclusions based on rumour and gossip and the barest of information and sometimes misinformation," Bottos said.
"We'll do our talking in court."
A trial date has not yet been set for the case.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson and Sean Amato
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man died of aneurysm after waiting 6 hours in ER
A 39-year-old Montreal man died of an aneurysm after spending six hours in an emergency room before giving up and going home.
Landslide closes B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway
A landslide shut down the Sea to Sky Highway near Lions Bay in both directions Saturday morning.
'We called a Code Silver': LHSC goes into lockdown after shooting outside emergency department
The emergency department (ED) doors at LHSC Victoria Campus were being repaired Saturday morning after a person fired a gun into the glass.
Canada Post union negotiator bucks at labour minister's calling for a 'time-out'
This week, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced a 'time-out' in the ongoing Canada Post strike. In a way, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) negotiator Jim Gallant says he agrees with that phrasing.
ABC agrees to give US$15 million to Donald Trump's presidential library to settle defamation lawsuit
ABC News has agreed to pay US$15 million toward Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential library to settle a lawsuit over an inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for rape.
YouTube singer arrested in Iran after performing an online concert while not wearing a hijab
Iranian authorities have arrested a female singer who performed a virtual concert on YouTube, a lawyer said.
British departure means uncertain future for Alberta's massive Suffield military base
A sprawling military training base more than twice the size of New York City in southeastern Alberta appears to be a shadow of its former self while its future use remains up in the air.
Enbridge pipeline spills 70,000 gallons of oil in Wisconsin
Roughly 70000 gallons (264,978 litres) of oil from a pipeline spilled into the ground in Wisconsin, officials said.
Woman accusing Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs of sexual assault acknowledges inconsistencies
A woman accusing rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 has acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story.
Calgary
-
British departure means uncertain future for Alberta's massive Suffield military base
A sprawling military training base more than twice the size of New York City in southeastern Alberta appears to be a shadow of its former self while its future use remains up in the air.
-
Team Canada prepares for upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin
A busy training camp filled with challenging exercises would occupy the thoughts of most high-performance athletes but Darby McIntyre was more excited to meet their teammates.
-
Enbridge reports 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin
Calgary-based pipeline giant Enbridge says it has cleaned up about 60 per cent of a nearly 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin that was discovered last month.
Lethbridge
-
Province provides $150K to help fund programs for newcomer youth
Brooks, Alta., officials with the John Ware Youth Empowerment Program are hoping gto help even more young newcomers thanks to a $150,000 grant from the province.
-
Hitmen's Howe, Hurricanes' Yager make Team Canada world junior roster
Team Canada announced its 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship roster on Friday, including three players on southern Alberta WHL teams. Tanner Howe, of the Calgary Hitmen, Brayden Yager, of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Gavin McKenna, of the Medicine Hat Tigers, were among the 14 forwards that will be donning the maple leaf later this month.
-
Lethbridge's small businesses feeling the impact of continued Canada Post strike
It’s been four weeks since Canada Post employees went on strike, and small business owners in Lethbridge say the ongoing dispute makes it hard to keep shelves stocked.
Saskatoon
-
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
-
SIRT investigating after Sask. man dies in-custody
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating after a 49-year-old man from White Bear First Nation died in a Carlyle Detachment cell.
-
Trains on display at Saskatoon Lawson Heights mall
As shoppers check off the final items on their Christmas shopping lists at Lawson Heights mall, dozens stop to view any train enthusiast's dream.
Regina
-
Second suspect in suspicious death on Sask. First Nation arrested
The second suspect wanted by Saskatchewan RCMP in connection to a suspicious death on White Bear First Nation has been arrested.
-
Crews respond to blaze at downtown Moose Jaw motel, one person sent to hospital
One person was sent to hospital with fire-related injuries following a blaze at a downtown motel in Moose Jaw on Friday night.
-
Regina Christmas Wish List works to help families in need get something under the tree
The Regina Christmas Wish List has been fulfilling Christmas gift requests for over 15 years.
Vancouver
-
Landslide closes B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway
A landslide shut down the Sea to Sky Highway near Lions Bay in both directions Saturday morning.
-
$3.3M in penalties for woman who defrauded B.C. investors with Chinese student claim
A woman who defrauded investors of millions of dollars by claiming the funds would be used to help Chinese students and tourists has been fined nearly $3.3 million and banned from investment markets for life.
-
Suspect charged in West Vancouver murder that police call 'tragic incident of family violence'
A 39-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in a case investigators are calling "a tragic incident of family violence."
Vancouver Island
-
Power outages, downed trees and cancelled ferries due to B.C. windstorm
Thousands of British Columbians were without power Saturday morning as high winds reached the South Coast.
-
Are bigger, better vessels coming to BC Ferries? Why critics are questioning the proposal
BC Ferries is taking a step forward in its plan to build five new vessels, but critics say the proposal could be steering the province into troubled waters.
-
Strong winds and high tides could bring storm surge to coastal B.C., forecaster says
Environment Canada is warning of a storm surge on British Columbia's south coast that could reach a metre high.
Toronto
-
2 critically injured in Brampton collision
Three people, including 2 children, have been rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a collision in Brampton late Saturday afternoon.
-
Police search for 11 suspects allegedly linked to violence at Brampton, Mississauga protests
Police in Peel Region are working to identify 11 persons of interest who were allegedly involved in violence that broke out during protests in Brampton and Mississauga last month.
-
Man who allegedly assaulted, and stole and damaged victim’s property at Broadview Station charged
A suspect who allegedly assaulted a victim, and stole and damaged their personal property earlier this month in the city’s east end is in police custody.
Montreal
-
Montreal man died of aneurysm after waiting 6 hours in ER
A 39-year-old Montreal man died of an aneurysm after spending six hours in an emergency room before giving up and going home.
-
GST holiday on a host of products starting today
A two-month break in the federal goods and services tax (GST) on certain products comes into effect today.
-
Tiny, endangered sea turtle found on Quebec’s Magdalen Islands for the first time
One of the world’s smallest and most endangered turtle species was found on the shores Quebec’s Magdalen Islands last week – a first in the province.
Atlantic
-
Christmas carnage: Brave New Brunswickers undertake outdoor endurance test before Christmas
A group of New Brunswickers are running in the cold and jumping in a lake as part of a Christmas tradition
-
N.B. RCMP conduct latest search for missing man near Sussex
Officers with the New Brunswick RCMP’s Specialized Policing Services spent the day Saturday searching the Whites Mountain area near Sussex, N.B., as part of an ongoing disappearance investigation.
-
Saint John pedway reopens following extended closure
After being closed for eight months, the Saint John pedway system is reopened for pedestrians uptown.
Winnipeg
-
National Police Federation raises concerns over Manitoba’s border reinforcement plans
The association representing RCMP officers said it’s concerned about the province’s plans for more overtime to help patrol the border.
-
Suspect arrested in unprovoked attack on taxi driver: Police
A taxi driver sustained minor injuries after he was attacked by a 34-year-old man in Winnipeg’s St. James area.
-
'Should be a concern': The Boyd Building put on the endangered list
A Winnipeg building is on the endangered list.
Ottawa
-
Son of Ottawa firefighter battling cancer meets his hero Sidney Crosby
The son of an Ottawa firefighter had the chance of a lifetime to meet one of hockey's greatest players.
-
Man taken to trauma centre in Orleans crash
Ottawa police are investigating a two-car crash in Orléans on Saturday afternoon.
-
U.S. alcohol ban could result in short term gain, long term pain, Ontario brewers say
Ontario craft brewers say halting the purchase of American booze by the LCBO would have mixed implications.
Northern Ontario
-
Outpouring of support for woman shot at northern Ont. bank
There has been an outpouring of support for a woman who was shot at a northern Ontario bank on Thursday.
-
One dead after single vehicle rollover in northern Ontario
A 65-year-old man from northern Ontario has died after a single-vehicle rollover Thursday evening near Temiskaming Shores.
-
Buckingham Palace maid arrested after drunken brawl at work Christmas party
Buckingham Palace is investigating after a member of staff was arrested at the end of a rowdy Christmas party.
Barrie
-
Parked car goes up in flames sending black smoke over Barrie parking lot
A parked car went up in flames creating a plume of dark smoke over a Barrie parking lot.
-
Ongoing criminal investigation heightens police presence in Barrie's west end
Residents in Barrie took it to social media after spotting a heavy police presence in different parts of the city’s west end.
-
South Simcoe police mourn death of officer facing discreditable conduct charges
The South Simcoe Police Service is mourning the passing of one of its officers.
Kitchener
-
Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins
As a two-month break from the federal GST took effect Saturday, shoppers and businesses expressed lukewarm support for the measure.
-
Kitchener’s House of Friendship receives $500,000 dollar grant for affordable housing project
Kitchener’s House of Friendship is getting a funding boost from the City of Kitchener.
-
61-year-old pedestrian hurt in Cambridge collision
A 61-year-old pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a collision in Cambridge Saturday morning.
London
-
'We called a Code Silver': LHSC goes into lockdown after shooting outside emergency department
The emergency department (ED) doors at LHSC Victoria Campus were being repaired Saturday morning after a person fired a gun into the glass.
-
London Knights defeat Windsor Spitfires on home ice
The London Knights hosted the Windsor Spitfires on Friday night at Canada Life Place, taking home the win.
-
Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins
As a two-month break from the federal GST took effect Saturday, shoppers and businesses expressed lukewarm support for the measure.
Windsor
-
Arrest warrant issued for Windsor, Ont.shooting suspect
Windsor, Ont. police have issued an arrest warrant for a man wanted in connection to a shooting.
-
Mobile clinic administering vaccines amid canine parvovirus outbreak
A team of animal care workers is operating out of the Glengarry Avenue apartment buildings in light of a deadly outbreak of canine parvovirus.
-
Lauzon Parkway and Forest Glade Drive intersection closed due to collision
The Windsor Police Service is asking drivers to stay away from the area of Lauzon Parkway and Forest Glade Drive following a motor vehicle collision.
