Trial resumes for Toronto police officer charged in shooting death of teen

ORONTO — The trial of a Toronto police officer charged in the shooting death of a teen on an empty streetcar is set to resume today.

Const. James Forcillo has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder and attempted murder in the death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim.

Last week, jurors watched videos and heard audio recordings of the confrontation that ended Yatim’s life.

Yatim was standing on an empty streetcar holding a small knife and refused to drop it during a 50 second confrontation with Forcillo before he was shot nine times.

Crown prosecutors have said they plan to prove that Forcillo’s actions during the July 2013 incident weren’t necessary or reasonable.

Forcillo’s lawyer has said his client’s actions were justified and carried out in self-defence.

The jury has also heard that Yatim consumed the drug ecstasy before he boarded the streetcar.

©2015 The Canadian Press