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Toronto officer sentenced to six years in prison for shooting teen Toronto officer sentenced to six years in prison for shooting teen
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A Toronto policeman has been sentenced to six years in prison in the shooting death of a teenager three years ago that led to a rare conviction in Canada, where activists say police too often get off easy in brutality cases.A Toronto policeman has been sentenced to six years in prison in the shooting death of a teenager three years ago that led to a rare conviction in Canada, where activists say police too often get off easy in brutality cases.
The 2013 shooting, which occurred after an altercation on a streetcar with the teen, who was brandishing a knife, was caught on video and led to widespread protests in Toronto.The 2013 shooting, which occurred after an altercation on a streetcar with the teen, who was brandishing a knife, was caught on video and led to widespread protests in Toronto.
James Forcillo was found guilty of attempted murder in January for firing additional shots at the teenager, whom he had already shot three times. He was acquitted of second-degree murder on a determination that the initial shots he fired were justified, but the second volley was not.James Forcillo was found guilty of attempted murder in January for firing additional shots at the teenager, whom he had already shot three times. He was acquitted of second-degree murder on a determination that the initial shots he fired were justified, but the second volley was not.
Forcillo’s sentencing on Thursday comes days after the death of a mentally ill black man after his arrest by police in Ottawa.Forcillo’s sentencing on Thursday comes days after the death of a mentally ill black man after his arrest by police in Ottawa.
The deaths echo similar events in the United States, where allegations of police brutality and racial bias have sparked protests. Some confrontations in the United States were also caught on video.The deaths echo similar events in the United States, where allegations of police brutality and racial bias have sparked protests. Some confrontations in the United States were also caught on video.
Last year, a Toronto police officer shot and killed Andrew Loku, a 45-year-old Sudanese immigrant with a history of mental illness. No charges were filed.Last year, a Toronto police officer shot and killed Andrew Loku, a 45-year-old Sudanese immigrant with a history of mental illness. No charges were filed.
Related: Canada is hailed for its tolerance but is it ready to confront its racism?
Sandy Hudson, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto, the only official Canadian chapter of the movement, said police shootings are underreported by media in Canada because surveillance footage is not as accessible and data is not always compiled by race north of the border.
“The reason for our existence is to dispel the myth that it is somehow safer in Canada, that it doesn’t happen in Canada,” she said.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), an arms-length agency that investigates cases of death, serious injury or sexual assault involving police, launched 266 cases in the 2014-15 fiscal year, including six shooting deaths, 12 deaths in custody and 41 sexual assault allegations.
Of the 253 cases it closed that year, the SIU laid charges in 5.1% of them.
When it does not lay charges, the agency does not make public the evidence behind its decision and its unredacted investigation reports are not released under freedom of information laws, drawing criticism that the SIU is too quick to clear police.
Crown prosecutors had sought an eight to 10 year sentence for Forcillo, while defense lawyers argued for two years of house arrest.Crown prosecutors had sought an eight to 10 year sentence for Forcillo, while defense lawyers argued for two years of house arrest.
Forcillo can appeal the sentence.Forcillo can appeal the sentence.