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Forcillo trial resumes

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It’s taken more than 2 years to get to this point, but today, 2 families got what they’ve been waiting for. One family belongs to a police officer accused of murder, the other is the family of a young Toronto man, shot and killed on board a Toronto street car.

Today the crown began it’s case against Constable James Forcillo, who is charged with the killing of Sammy Yatim. 18 year old Sammy Yatim died in a hail of gunfire on July 27th , 2013. He was high on ecstasy, and holding a knife. Those basic circumstances were outlined by Crown Attorney Milan Rupic as he delivered his opening remarks, in the 2nd degree murder trial of Toronto police Constable James Forcillo.

Forcillo was the first officer on the scene, after reports that a man had threatened passengers on board a TTC streetcar around midnight on July 26th. Rupic laid out the details of what preceded the confrontation that left Yatim dead, just a few minutes after Forcillo arrived.

According to the Crown, an agitated Yatim approached a cleaner on the Dundas subway line around 11:45 on the night of the 26th. He asked the cleaner to call police but left the subway moments later. He got on the streetcar and sat alone at the back until a group of young women jumped on board, and sat down close to him.

Rupic said Yatim exposed himself to the women, and waved a knife in their direction. They screamed and went to the front of the streetcar, followed by panicking passengers and Yatim. The driver stopped the car, opened the door and Yatim told everyone to get off. The driver remained however. Yatim asked him for a phone. When the driver asked the young man if he wanted to call someone Yatim answered ya, my dad.

Soon after, the driver was ordered to leave the vehicle but Yatim remained on board, alone. Police began to arrive. Some drew their guns, but Forcillo’s partner, a 22 year veteran, actually put her gun away. They called for a Sergeant with a Taser unit, but before he arrived, James Forcillo fired 9 shots in 2 volleys, hitting Yatim 8 times.

Crown Attorney Milan Rupic made it clear that there’s no doubt about who shot and killed Sammy Yatim. The question is, with 5 police officers standing around the streetcar with guns drawn, why was James Forcillo the only one to fire his weapon. And was it, really necessary?