TPS Officer Forcillo Remanded in Custody for Breaching Bail, Obstruction and Perjury Charges
May 4, 2018: Jailed Toronto police officer, James Forcillo, was remanded in custody Friday, May 4, 2018, to May 31, 2018 to face charges of perjury, obstruct justice and breaching his bail conditions, as reported by the Toronto Star.
Court of Appeal Dismisses Const. Forcillo’s Appeal of Attempted Murder Conviction for Killing Sammy Yatim
April 30, 2018: In a unanimous decision, Chief Justice of Ontario George Strathy, Justice David Doherty and Justice Gary Trotter dismissed Constable James Forcillo’s appeal of both his conviction in the 2013 shooting death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim, and the six-year jail sentence handed down by trial judge Justice Edward Then.
On January 29, 2016, a jury delivered a guilty verdict in the trial of James Forcillo in the death of Sammy Yatim. Forcillo was found guilty of attempted murder, and not guilty of second degree murder or manslaughter. Sammy was shot nine times by Constable Forcillo on July 27, 2013, while confined within a TTC streetcar and surrounded by numerous Toronto police officers. The jury rejected Constable Forcillo’s testimony that Sammy presented a real threat to the officer at the time that he discharged his weapon a further six times while Sammy lay mortally wounded on the floor of the streetcar. The jury was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Constable Forcillo was guilty of murder.
Falconers LLP represents the mother of Sammy Yatim, Sahar Bahadi, in a civil law suit, against Constable Forcillo and the Toronto Police Service. The action was issued on October 11, 2013.
As mentioned in a Toronto star article, “(Forcillo) knew from his training that Mr. Yatim did not pose an imminent threat to anyone merely by re-arming himself with a knife. He knew that he was not entitled to kill Mr. Yatim in these circumstances, yet he proceeded to fire six additional rounds fixed with that lethal intent,” the decision states. Late last year Forcillo was charged with breaching his bail conditions. He was taken into custody after being found at his new fiancée’s apartment, when he should have been at home. His bail was revoked and he has since been charged with perjury and attempting to obstruct justice. He is currently suspended without pay from the Toronto police.
Sahar Bahdi (right, mother of Sammy Yatim) and Julian Falconer
Sammy’s parents, Sahar Bahadi (middle) and Nabil Yatim (right) with Falconers LLP Partner, Asha James (left)
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In the News
Toronto cop who shot Sammy Yatim to be held in jail on perjury, obstruction charges Toronto Star, May 4, 2018
Court of Appeal Decision COA, April 30, 2018
Court of Appeal upholds conviction for Toronto cop who shot Sammy Yatim Toronto Star, April 30, 2018
Appeal court upholds James Forcillo’s conviction, sentence in Sammy Yatim case The Globe and Mail, April 30, 2018
Const. James Forcillo loses appeal of attempted murder conviction in Sammy Yatim shooting Toronto Sun, April 30, 2018
Court dismisses Const. James Forcillo’s appeal of conviction in Sammy Yatim case CBC, April 30, 2018
Decision Monday for Const. James Forcillo’s appeal in Sammy Yatim shooting Toronto Star, April 27, 2018
James Forcillo appeal decision set for Monday City News, April 26, 2018
Julian Falconer: Seeking justice for Sammy Yatim Canadian Jewish News, January 29, 2016
‘It was the right thing to do,’ says man who put Sammy Yatim shooting video on YouTube Toronto Daily Mail, January 29, 2016
What’s changed since Sammy Yatim died Toronto Star, January 29, 2016
Sammy Yatim’s family relieved over verdict 24 Hours, January 26, 2016
Judgement Day – Forcillo to appeal guilty verdict in death of Sammy Yatim 24 Hours, January 26, 2016
Sammy Yatim shooting witness felt responsibility to share video CBC, January 26, 2016
Forcillo guilty of attempted murder in shooting death of Sammy Yatim Toronto Star, January 25, 2016
Prosecution’s strategy to get conviction worked The Globe and Mail, January 25, 2016
Yatim’s dad ‘relieved’ by Forcillo verdict Toronto Sun, January 25, 2016
Toronto police officer found guilty of attempted murder Daily Mail, January 25, 2016
Toronto police officer guilty in shooting death of teen in rare court decision The Guardian, January 25, 2016
Click here to read more about the civil lawsuit.
