Video reveals details of what happened the night Sammy Yatim was shot
WARNING: Video contains graphic imagery
Four cameras on a DundasWest streetcar captured the incident that took place just after midnight on July 26, 2013. Const. James Forcillo, 32, is facing charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder in the death of Sammy Yatim, 18, who was shot eight times on the streetcar.
On the second day of the high-profile trial, the jury watched a video that showed what transpired after the streetcar driver exits the vehicle. About 50 seconds pass from when police first arrive and when Yatim is shot.
The video showsYatimfalling afterthe first three shots, his body twitching.Forcilloshoots the teen several more times.
Another officer moves to the steps of the streetcar and TasersYatimbefore other officers rush onto the transit vehicle.
An investigator with Ontario's police watchdog told the court that he collected a switchblade, a police handgun and a Taser from the scene where the teen was killed.
Prosecutors have said they plan to prove thatForcillo'sactionswere neither necessary nor reasonable.Forcillo'slawyer has said he will argue the officer'sactions were justified and carried out in self-defence.
Steven Adam, an investigator with the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), was the first witness called Wednesday. The SIU probes all incidents in which someone is hurt or killed during an interaction with police.
Adam described how he arrived at the scene on Dundas Street West at Grace Street, where the streetcar had come to a stop after a disturbance on board that preceded the shooting.
SIU investigator describes shooting scene
Adam testified he had no concerns with the preservation of the scene.He told the court hecollectedForcillo'sGlockhandgun and a police Taser, also known as a stun gun,from the area.
Adam also testified that he collected a black switchbladewith an 11.4-centimetre-longblade that the court has heardYatimwas holding when he was shot. The blade was found about three seatsfrom the front of the streetcar, Adam told the court.
Crown attorney MilanRupictold the jury that the video recordings, including footage from cameras aboard the streetcar, are synchronized and time-stamped. Other video evidence will come from security cameras at businesses near the scene and footage of the shooting captured on mobile phones from passersby.
According to the Crown, minutes before he was shot, Yatim had exposed himself to a group of passengers at the back of the streetcar and drawn theknife. That actioncaused passengers to flee the streetcar.
The juryhas been told that an autopsyfound Yatim had consumed the drug ecstasy the night he died.