

Sandie Benitah, CP24.com





A Toronto police officer accused of killing 18-year-old Sammy Yatim will face an additional charge in connection with the case, his lawyer confirms.

Const. James Forcillo, 31, is facing an attempted murder charge in addition to a second-degree murder charge, lawyer Peter Brauti tells CP24. The additional charge is thought to have been added as an alternative consideration for the jury if they can't find him guilty of murder. .

Court records show Forcillo's case will be discussed at the University Avenue courthouse today. Brauti said neither he or Forcillo will be in court as it is just for administrative purposes.

Today lawyers will set a date for them to discuss a date for the trial. The trial is expected to start some time in September, 2015.

Yatim died in the early morning hours of July 27, 2013 after an altercation with police aboard a streetcar in downtown Toronto.

Police confronted Yatim after he pulled out a knife on the streetcar and began acting aggressively towards passengers. He eventually ordered everyone off the streetcar.

Witnesses said Yatim seemed mentally unstable and at one point, exposed his genitals.

A crowd outside the streetcar took videos of what transpired. In the video, police can be heard screaming at Yatim to drop his knife. In total, nine shots were fired at Yatim. In the video, three shots could be heard followed by a five-second pause before an additional six shots were fired. Police also used a Taser on the man about 30 seconds later. The video showed Yatim was already on the ground.

The shooting led to public condemnation of the officers’ heavy-handed response to the situation.

Earlier this week, retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci released a report that outlined more than 80 recommendations for Toronto police in their dealings with “people in crisis.”

Improved mental health training, body cameras and more Tasers were among some of his suggestions. Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said he will move on those recommendations with “urgency.”