Crown won't appeal not guilty decision in Const. Daniel Montsion trial

The Crown will not appeal ajudge's decision thatOttawa police Const. Daniel Montsionwasnot guilty in the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi.

Abdi, a 37-year-old Black man, died following a confrontation with Ottawa police on July 24, 2016.

Montsionwas found not guilty ofmanslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon on Oct. 20 of this year, and on Fridaythe Crown's office told Radio-Canada it would not appeal that finding.

Justice Robert Kelly ruledthe Crown did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Montsion's actions caused Abdi's death.

Kelly also said he was not convinced Montsion used force that was a substantial departure from what a reasonable police officer would do, or that it went beyond what's justified in the Criminal Code.

Abdi's death and the subsequent court decision sparked anger and griefamong many people in Ottawa, leading to rallies over the yearsand the formation of the Justice for Abdirahman coalition, which has pushed for changes to the policing and justice systems.

The coalition is one of the groups behind a sit-in this week at the intersection of Laurier Avenue and Nicholas Street near the University of Ottawa.

The Abdi familyhas launched a$1.5M lawsuitagainst the Ottawa Police Services Board, former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau, and bothMontsion and Const. Dave Weir, who also responded to that July 2016call.