TORONTO – Jury selection begins Wednesday in the second degree murder trial of Toronto police officer James Forcillo who is accused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Sammy Yatim.
Forcillo, who faces an additional attempted murder charge, is accused of gunning down the Toronto teen on a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar on July 27, 2013.
The incident was captured on surveillance and cellphone video, on which nine shots can be heard, following shouted commands to drop a knife.
Forcillo’s lawyer Peter Brauti said his client is eager to start the jury selection process and begin to tell his side of the story.
“He hasn’t been able to tell his side of the story and that what we’ve been asking the entire time,” said Brauti.
“We’re looking for 12 open-minded people that are prepared to reserve judgement until they have heard the evidence.”
Forcillo, who had been released on bail, has since been assigned to office duty at Toronto Crimestoppers in an administrative role.
“It’s been very challenging for him and his family and to have it out there without the full finding of the facts and evidence,” expressed Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association outside the courthouse on Wednesday.
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A preliminary inquiry into the case was concluded last summer with all of the evidence subject to a publication ban.
Yatim’s death prompted an investigation headed by former Supreme Court of Canada justice Frank Iacobucci looking into the Toronto Police Service’s use of force tactics.
The report released last year made 84 recommendations aimed at reducing the number of deaths during officers’ interactions with the public.
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Iacobucci’s report recommended Toronto police consider conducting a pilot project to assess the potential for expanding Taser access within the force.
It also suggested the force issue body-worn cameras to all officers who may encounter people in crisis to ensure greater accountability and transparency.
Toronto police have since implemented a pilot project earlier this year to examine the benefits of body cameras for its officers.
With a file from The Canadian Press
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