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TORONTO — The trial of a Toronto police officer charged in the shooting death of a teen on an empty streetcar is hearing audio recordings of what went on that night.
The jury at Const. James Forcillo’s trial watched silent videos of the incident on Wednesday, but today for the first time they hear parts of the confrontation between the officer and 18-year-old Sammy Yatim.
Forcillo has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder in the July 2013 shooting.
In one audio recording, Forcillo can be heard repeatedly screaming “drop the knife,” while Yatim can be heard swearing at police.
The jury has also watched two cellphone videos today, which were taken by civilians at the scene, in which the nine gunshots fired by Forcillo can clearly be heard.
The jury has heard that the standoff between Forcillo and Yatim lasted about 50 seconds before the police officer let off two volleys of shots — eight of his bullets hit Yatim.
Crown prosecutors have said they plan to prove that Forcillo’s actions during the incident were neither necessary nor reasonable.
Forcillo’s lawyer has said he will be arguing that the officer’s actions were justified and carried out in self-defence.
The jury has also been told an autopsy found Yatim had consumed the drug ecstasy before he boarded the streetcar where he died.
