An appeal trial for James Forcillo, the Toronto police officer convicted of attempted murder in the 2013 fatal shooting of Sammy Yatim, is underway at a Toronto courtroom on Monday.
Forcillo was sentenced to six years behind bars, a year more than the mandatory minimum, for shooting Yatim multiple times in 2013. The incident set off a wave of public outrage and protests.
Yatim’s mother, Sahar Bahadi, told reporters outside the courthouse Monday morning that her life has been destroyed following her son’s death.
“You can’t imagine. It’s the most difficult thing that you lose your child,” Bahadi said.
She also said she is confident Forcillo will spend time behind bars.
“I believe in justice. I believe in God and I will fight to the end,” Bahadi said. “I believe that my son was murdered. Nobody should be killed the way Sammy was killed.”
READ MORE: Toronto police officer convicted in shooting of Sammy Yatim gets bail extended
The officer is asking the appeal court to substitute a not-guilty verdict or order a new trial in his case.
He is also seeking a declaration that the mandatory minimum sentence for attempted murder is unconstitutional, and wants to be granted a suspended sentence. Barring that, he wants his sentence reduced to the minimum five years.
Forcillo was acquitted of second-degree murder related to the first three shots fired at Yatim, while he was found guilty of attempted murder pertaining to the second volley.
Forcillo’s lawyer Michael Lacy told the court on Monday that the two volley of shots should have been dealt with as one event.
READ MORE: Weeks before appeal, Crown defends verdict in case of Toronto cop who shot teen
In a court ruling last Friday, Forcillo had his bail extended until April 2, 2018.
The appeal trial is taking place at the Ontario Court of Appeal in downtown Toronto.
VIDEO: A timeline of the James Forcillo trial
-With files from The Canadian Press
- Stormy Daniels testimony at Trump hush money trial sparks call for mistrial
- Australian woman accused of poison mushroom murders pleads not guilty
- Man arrested after attempting to shoot pastor during livestream sermon
- Strangulation often signals domestic violence will turn deadly. Montreal police stepping up enforcement
Comments