Jury Finds Officer Guilty of Attempted Murder in Yatim Shooting Death
Today, the 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 eight 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 and sister of Sammy Yatim, Sahar Bahadi and Sarah Yatim, in an $8 million lawsuit against the police. The action was issued on October 11, 2013 against Cst. Forcillo and the Toronto Police Service.
On August 30, 2013, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair appointed Frank Iacobucci to lead the review of the Toronto Police Services’ use of force policies. Justice Iacobucci issued his Report in July of 2014.
Press Release and Statement
Press Release January 25, 2016
Statement of Dr. Sahar Bahadi January 25, 2016
Related Documents
Police Encounters with People in Crisis – Justice Iacobucci’s Report July, 2014
Statement of Claim October 11, 2013
Statement of Defence of James Forcillo August 22, 2014
Statement of Defence of TPSB August 22, 2014
Video
Julian Falconer speaks out about the Forcillo verdict January 25, 2016
In the News
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
Forcillo makes it home NOW, January 27, 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
James Forcillo guilty of attempted murder in streetcar shooting of Sammy Yatim CBC, January 25, 2016
What justice there is in James Forcillo verdict, we owe to video- Keenan Toronto Star, January 25, 2016
Sammy Yatim: Toronto cop guilty of attempted murder in streetcar shooting Global News, January 25, 2016
Click here to read more about the civil lawsuit.
