Toronto constable who shot teen arrested for allegedly breaching bail conditions

Yatim’s killing set off a wave of public outrage and protests after a video of the shooting went viral. The judge overseeing Forcillo’s trial called the video “powerful evidence” that what the officer said happened that night did not actually occur.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Then found Forcillo had abused his authority in a manner that undermined public trust in law enforcement and the justice system.

Forcillo was found guilty last year of attempted murder but was acquitted of the more serious charge of second-degree murder for shooting 18-year-old Yatim multiple times. He was sentenced to six years behind bars, a year more than the mandatory minimum.

He has since asked the appeal court to substitute a not-guilty verdict or order a new trial in his case, arguing Then was wrong to exclude evidence meant to suggest Yatim was trying to commit “suicide by cop,” where a person behaves threateningly in order to trigger a lethal response from law enforcement.

Forcillo’s lawyers have also alleged Then erred in instructing jurors to view two volleys of bullets fired by Forcillo as separate incidents, and to consider the charge of attempted murder.

They argue that opened the door for a compromise verdict, where jurors find someone guilty of a lesser charge rather than convicting of a more serious one or acquitting them entirely.

Forcillo is also seeking a declaration that the mandatory minimum sentence for attempted murder is unconstitutional, and wants to be granted a suspended sentence. Barring that, he wants his sentence reduced to the minimum five years.

Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Toronto constable who shot teen arrested for allegedly breaching bail conditions

Our Community