Forcillo granted bail as he appeals conviction in Yatim death
Posted Jul 29, 2016 10:42:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – A Toronto police officer sentenced to six years for gunning down a troubled teen on an empty streetcar three years ago has been granted bail while he appeals his case.
The appeal judge, Justice Eileen Gillese, ruled Const. James Forcillo poses no risk to the public of reoffending.
Read the decision below, or click here to view it online.
Forcillo was convicted of attempted murder in the 2013 death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim, which was was captured on a cellphone video that went viral and spurred outrage in Toronto.
In handing down his sentence on Thursday, Justice Edward Then said that video was “powerful evidence” that what Forcillo said occurred on the streetcar did not happen.
The police officer was acquitted in January of second-degree murder, but found guilty of attempted murder for continuing to fire after the dying teen had fallen to the floor.
His lawyers had argued for house arrest instead of a prison sentence, while the Crown asked for the officer to spend eight to 10 years behind bars.
