A jury weighing the case of a Toronto police officer charged with murder after gunning down a teen on an empty streetcar today enters its third day of deliberations.
Constable James Forcillo has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder in the death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim.
READ MORE: Timeline: key dates in the Sammy Yatim streetcar shooting case
The Crown argued 32-year-old Forcillo ignored other viable use-of-force options and acted as “a hothead and a bully” when he shot Yatim.
The defence contends he pulled the trigger in self-defence.
The July 2013 incident was captured on cellphone videos which went viral online, sparking anti-police protests in the city and a review of Toronto police tactics.
READ MORE: 5 things the jury didn’t hear at the Sammy Yatim trial
The jury has heard that Yatim had taken the drug ecstasy before boarding a streetcar where he exposed himself and pulled out a small knife, sparking a panicked exodus.
Videos and audio played at the trial have shown that Forcillo arrived on the scene, screamed repeatedly at Yatim to drop the knife, and after a 50-second confrontation fired nine bullets at the teen in two separate volleys.
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