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
