TORONTO – A man who killed a Toronto police officer with a snow plow has been found not criminally responsible.
The verdict means the jury believed Richard Kachkar, 46, couldn’t appreciate what he was doing when he hit and killed 35-year-old Sgt. Ryan Russell because he was mentally ill.
The judge had told the jury there was “no doubt” Kachkar was driving the stolen snow plow on Jan. 12, 2011, but what the jury had to consider was his mental state.
Here is a look back at the events of the Kachkar trial.
Jan. 12, 2011 – Richard Kachkar left a Tim Horton’s just after 5 a.m., got into a snowplow, and started driving. He crashed into a car dealership, threatened bystanders and asked many if they’d like a ride. He then struck and killed Toronto Police Sgt. Ryan Russell in the stolen snowplow.
Kachkar was stopped by the Toronto Police Emergency Task Force, was tasered and shot twice by Cst. Craig Ashman. He was admitted to hospital.
Jan. 13, 2011 – Police arrest and charge then-44-year-old Kachkar with first-degree murder in the death of Russell.
Video footage from Russell’s scout car and information provided by civilian witnesses who came forward played a large role in the charges laid against Kachkar.
Jan. 15, 2011 – Kachkar was released from hospital.
Jan. 18, 2011 – A full honour police funeral attended by thousands of Toronto officers was held for Russell at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Feb. 4, 2013 – Kachkar’s first-degree murder trial began.
Feb. 28, 2013 – Court hears forensic psychiatrist testimony that Kachkar was psychotic when he struck Sgt. Russell. Dr. Philip Klassen said Kachkar suffered from a “low-grade” mental illness with periodic spikes.
March 27, 2013 – The jury finds Kachkar not criminally responsible in the death of Sgt. Russell.
With files from Global News
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