Const. James Forcillo arrested for breaching bail conditions: SIU
Posted November 15, 2017 10:40 am.
Last Updated November 15, 2017 7:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Toronto police officer convicted of attempted murder in the 2013 shooting death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions.
In a release, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said Const. James Forcillo was arrested on Wednesday morning based on evidence gathered by the SIU.
The SIU said Forcillo is accused of breaching the conditions related to his house arrest.
Toronto police said he turned himself in to them on Wednesday and was subsequently arrested. He was charged with failing to comply with recognizance.
Forcillo made a brief court appearance Wednesday morning. His lawyer, Peter Brauti, said a bail hearing on the new charge was put over to 10 a.m. Friday.
Court documents reveal Forcillo is engaged
Documents obtained by CityNews reveal Forcillo is engaged to be married next March and he was petitioning the courts to live with his girlfriend when he was arrested.
Forcillo and his wife divorced in July and while they remain on good terms and co-parent two children, his father-in-law says the current living situation is difficult.
Forcillo’s fiance is from Los Angeles and is currently here on a visitors visa, hoping to become a massage therapist. The court filing says he is helping pay her expenses and that his friends financially support him.
Forcillo is also seeking to amend the house arrest conditions so he can take some personal training sessions.
Below is a look back at our live reporting during Forcillo’s sentencing. For a mobile-friendly version, click here.
Forcillo was sentenced to six years behind bars, a year more than the mandatory minimum, for shooting Yatim multiple times on a TTC streetcar on July 27, 2013. He had his bail conditions extended in late September, a day before he was set to appeal his conviction.
He has asked the appeal court to substitute a not-guilty verdict or order a new trial in his case.
He is also seeking a declaration that the mandatory minimum sentence for attempted murder is unconstitutional, and wants to be granted a suspended sentence. Barring that, he wants his sentence reduced to the minimum five years.
Related stories:
Appeal trial continues for Toronto cop convicted in Yatim death
Forcillo sentenced to six years for Yatim shooting death
