Cops Criticized For Perceived Special Treatment Of Michael Bryant
Posted September 3, 2009 7:58 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto Police are being criticized for their perceived special treatment of Michael Bryant.
The former Attorney General was charged with the death of a cyclist and taken into custody Monday night.
By the time Bryant held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, he was wearing a fresh, clean suit that had been dropped off at the station.
And he never appeared in bail court. Instead, Bryant was released and will face a judge for the first time on October 19.
That sparked prominent defence lawyer Edward Sapiano to say that anyone else, aside from a police officer or politician, would have been forced to show up in bail court unshaven and dishevelled.
Police deny that allegation, and maintain that Bryant actually spent more time in a cell than the average person due to potential conflict of interest with prosecutors.
Darcy Allan Sheppard, 33, died in hospital following the collision.
Bryant 43, is charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.
Officers allege that Bryant and Sheppard had a minor altercation after a possible collision. The cyclist then apparently approached the driver and grabbed onto the vehicle, a Saab convertible with its roof down.
Bryant allegedly began to drive away with the cyclist still clinging to the side of his car.
Sheppard fell off some distance later and may have been run over.
He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but succumbed to his wounds.
A criminal lawyer based in Vancouver has been hired to prosecute the case against Bryant. Richard Peck was brought in to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest or political interference.
On Thursday, Toronto Police launched a Safe Cycling awareness campaign. It will run until September 29 and focuses reducing the potential for biking-related injuries.
Pamphlets will be handed out to cyclists, and motorists are reminded not to open car doors without looking, and to always check their blind spots.
Click here to register your bike.
The Toronto Bike Messenger Association has set up a trust fund in Darcy Allan Sheppard’s name:
TD Canada Trust
Account # 06906676860
You can also donate through the TOBMA website or at a fundraiser listed on Facebook.
