Toronto officer sentenced to six years for shooting teen
Posted July 28, 2016 9:04 am.
Last Updated July 28, 2016 9:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, ON. (NEWS 1130) – A Toronto police officer has been sentenced to six years in the shooting death of a troubled teen on an empty streetcar.
Constable James Forcillo was convicted of attempted murder in the 2013 death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim, which was captured on a cellphone video that went viral and spurred outrage in Toronto.
In handing down his sentence, Justice Edward Then said that video was “powerful evidence” that what Forcillo said occurred on the streetcar did not happen.
The police officer was acquitted in January of second-degree murder, but found guilty of attempted murder for continuing to fire after the dying teen had fallen to the floor.
His lawyers had argued for house arrest instead of a prison sentence, while the Crown asked for the officer to spend eight to 10 years behind bars.
Video: Forcillo to be sentenced Thursday for attempted murder of Sammy Yatim
FORCILLO SENTENCING HIGHLIGHTS
*Const. James Forcillo has been sentenced to 6 years in prison
*Justice Edward Then said that video was “powerful evidence” that what Forcillo said occurred on the streetcar did not happen
*Earlier, Justice Edward Then has said he has “no choice but to sentence Forcillo to at least the mandatory minimum of five years”
*Then later added that the Crown’s request of 8 to 10 years is “not needed”
*Forcillo’s lawyers have filed a constitutional appeal, arguing the min. mandatory sentence shouldn’t apply to police officers
*Justice Then called the second volley of shots “unreasonable, unnecessary and excessive.”
Const. James Forcillo was convicted of attempted murder in the 2013 streetcar shooting death of Sammy Yatim
*Forcillo was acquitted in January of second-degree murder
