Andr Gagnon not guilty of sex assault, finds military court

Warrant officer Andr Gagnon has been found not guilty of sexual assault by a military court.

The court martials five-man jury rendered its unanimous decision on Friday after considering the matter for three days.

Gagnon, 48, faced 10 years in prison if a guilty verdict had been returned in the case, which saw the warrant officer accused of sexually assaulting former corporal Stphanie Raymond.

Raymond alleged that Gagnon assaulted her in December 2011 at the Rgiment de la Chaudire armoury in Lvis, Quebec.

Raymond accused Gagnon of taking advantage of his position as her superior and maintained that the encounter was not consensual.

Gagnons lawyer, Maj. Philippe-Luc Boutin, questioned Raymond'scredibility and portrayed herascalculating and manipulative.

Gagnon hugged Boutin when the verdict was pronounced.

Raymond was not present for the verdict on Friday.

The prosecution now has 30 days to consider an appeal.

Prosecuting lawyer Maj. Gabriel Roy said he will assess that possibility in the coming weeks.