Watch the video above: Decision delayed in trial of Saskatoon police officer
SASKATOON – A Saskatoon police officer will have to wait another month to learn his fate.
Judge Dan O’Hanlon has reserved his decision on the assault trial for March 28. Constable Luke St. Onge has been charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
The charges stem from a 2012 incident. St. Onge had been leaving an apartment building in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood when he was bear maced by an unknown teen.
He quickly informed officers in the nearby vicinity of the attack and offered them a brief description of the suspect. Soon after, two boys were spotted by police in an alley and one of them appeared to match St. Onge’s description.
The 14-year-old had run away from a group home and was hoping to avoid police so leapt into a backyard with his friend. A canine track was initiated and he quickly took off on foot.
He was swiftly tackled by an officer and several more arrived on scene. St. Onge admitted to punching the youth three to five times while he was being apprehended.
Meanwhile, the boy testified on Monday, he was punched between 10 and 15 times and pepper sprayed.
In his closing argument, defence attorney Aaron Fox told the judge what needs to be determined is whether or not use of force in this incident was appropriate and necessary beyond reasonable doubt.
Defence argued the boy’s left hand remained beneath his body while he was being apprehended and at the time officers believed he may be in possession of bear mace.
He told the court the hard strikes used by St. Onge were part of his police training and while the boy suffered lacerations, there was no long-term grievous bodily harm.
Crown prosecutor William Burge told the courtroom there were more than enough officers involved in the takedown of the teen, who weighed just 130 pounds at the time and that St. Onge’s actions were excessive.
Judge Dan O’Hanlon will render his verdict next month.
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