Questions Mount on Scale of Police Cover Up

Update: July 21, 2017, SIU lays charge against co-attacking brother Christian Theriault in assault on Black teen, Dafonte Miller.

Update: July 19, 2017, it was revealed, for the first time, that the father of charged Toronto Police Constable, Michael Theriault, is a long standing Detective with the Professional Standards Unit otherwise known as Internal Affairs.

On July 18, 2017, following a full investigation, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Mr. Anthony Loparco, laid criminal charges of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and public mischief against Constable, Michael Theriault of 42 Division, of the Toronto Police Service. Constable Theriault is charged after beating 19-year-old, Dafonte Miller, while off-duty during the early morning hours of December 28, 2016.

Lawyer, Julian Falconer, who represents the youth believes the attack was racially motivated, and stated, “the major facts are as follows: my client is black, and he’s a black young male.”

Falconer went on to say, “the way police handled this case points to much larger systemic problems. Such as, Durham Regional Police not contacting the homeowner where Miller banged on the door for help, and questioning what was done to ascertain the sobriety of the two individuals involved,” when asked if he thinks the off-duty officer could have been drunk.

Additionally, the police never contacted the SIU, which investigates all cases of serious injury or death involving police in Ontario. It was Falconers LLP who alerted the SIU to the case.

The interaction resulted in the loss of the Miller’s left-eye, suffered as a direct result of the assault, which included the use of a metal pipe. Constable Theriault suffered no injuries.

Video / Audio Links:

Newstalk 1010: Part 2 – Desmond Cole, July 23, 2017 

Questions mount around investigation of Toronto cop charged with assault City News, July 19, 2017

Click to Play: Dafonte Miller 19, beaten with pipe by off-duty officer: Julian Falconer Interview   CP24, July 19, 2017

Click to Listen: Dafonte Miller’s lawyer, Julian Falconer, speaks about alleged attack from off-duty police officer   CBC, July 19, 2017

In the News

SIU Lays Additional Charges in Case Where Man in Whitby Sustained Serious Injuries     Special Investigations Unit, News Release, July 21, 2017

Egregious’ police cover-up alleged in pipe attack that left teen blind in one eye    National Post, July 21, 2017

Brother of Toronto police officer also charged with assaulting 19-year-old    City News, July 21, 2017

2nd man charged in assault investigation involving Toronto police officer   CBC, July 21, 2017

SIU charges civilian in beating of teen    Toronto Star, July 21, 2017

Former SIU directors question ‘deplorable’ police handling of Dafonte Miller case    CBC, July 19, 2017

Police failure to report altercation between teen, off-duty cop in Whitby amounts to ‘cover up’, lawyer charges    July 19, 2017, DurhamRegion.com

Police must follow the law – Editorial    Toronto Star, July 19, 2017

Un policier de Toronto accusé d’avoir battu un jeune Noir    CBC Radio Cananda, July 19, 2017

Toronto police officer charged after man, 19, beaten and blinded in left eye    CBC, July 18, 2017

SIU Lays Charge Against Toronto Police Officer   Special Investigations Unit: News Release, July 18, 2017

Toronto cop charged after man assaulted in Whitby    Toronto Star, July 18, 2017

Alleged victim’s family speaks out after Toronto cop charged with assault    Toronto Star, July 18, 2017

Off-duty Toronto cop charged with ‘gratuitous and senseless attack    Toronto Sun, July 18, 2017

Off-duty cop charged with aggravated assault after altercation leaves teen seriously injured    Durham Region July 18, 2017

SIU charges Toronto cop for off-duty incident in Whitby    CP24, July 18, 2017

Toronto cop charged after teen beat with steel pipe and blinded in one eye Vice News, July 18, 2017

 

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