Murder charges dropped against Toronto police officer

Murder charges have been dropped against a Toronto police officer after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence for a trial.

Const. David Cavanagh was charged with second-degree murder in the 2010 shooting death of Eric Osawe. Cavanagh was initially charged with manslaughter and the charges were upgraded on Feb. 23, 2012.

One of Cavanagh’s lawyers told The Canadian Press about the judge’s decision on Friday. He said his client was relieved.

Cavanagh shot Osawe, 26, during an early-morning raid at on Sept. 29, 2010.

The Emergency Task Force and the Guns and Gangs squad entered Osawe’s apartment at 11 Dunbloor Road, near Kipling Avenue and Bloor Street West, around 1:15 a.m.

During the raid, Osawe was shot once. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

The Crown has 30 days to appeal the judge’s decision.

It was the first time in 13 years the provincial Special Investigations Unit had laid charges against a member of the Toronto Police Services.

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