TORONTO — An American expert on police use-of-force tactics is testifying at the trial of a Toronto officer charged in the 2013 shooting death of a teen on an empty streetcar.
Robert Warshaw — who has studied videos and audio capturing the moments when Const. James Forcillo shot 18-year-old Sammy Yatim — says the training received by Toronto police officers on use-of-force options appears "progressive, thoughtful and consistent with modern police agencies in the United States."
He says the organization seems to emphasize the use of de-escalation techniques available to its officers and highlights the importance of sparing lives.
Warshaw — a witness called by the Crown — is expected later today to evaluate the options that were available in Forcillo's case on the night Yatim was shot.
Forcillo has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder in Yatim's death.
The jury has heard that Yatim had taken the drug ecstasy at some point before boarding a streetcar on which he eventually pulled out a small knife, causing panicked passengers to rush off the vehicle as it came to an abrupt stop.
The jury has also seen surveillance videos that show Forcillo arriving at the scene and, after a 50-second confrontation, firing nine bullets in two volleys.
Crown prosecutors have said they plan to prove that Forcillo's actions during the incident weren't necessary or reasonable.
Forcillo's lawyer has said his client's actions were justified and carried out in self-defence.
