Coroner’s inquest into death of Sammy Yatim postponed

By Patricia D'Cunha

A coroner’s inquest looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of Sammy Yatim at the hands of a Toronto police officer nine years ago has been postponed, for now.

The inquest, which was supposed to start on Monday, was expected to last 10 days and hear from 11 witnesses.

However, in an update on Monday morning, a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Coroner told CityNews a “motion has to be heard first and a decision rendered” before the inquest can proceed.

The details of the motion, which was brought forth on Sunday, are not yet known. It is expected to be heard on Nov. 21.

“The parties are still meeting about it,” the spokesperson said, adding that “the inquest has to be postponed until the motion is dealt with.”

The coroner’s office said a new date for the inquest will be announced once there is a decision on the motion.

The inquest, which is mandatory under the Coroners Act, was supposed to examine the circumstances surrounding Yatim’s death, specifically the mechanisms and processes to promote good decision making by police officers and best practices for police responding to a person in crisis. The jury could also make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths in similar circumstances.

The 18-year-old Yatim died after he was shot nine times by Const. James Forcillo as he stood alone on a TTC streetcar on Dundas Street near Trinity Bellwoods Park just after midnight on July 27, 2013.

Witnesses said before the fatal shooting, Yatim was acting erratically around other passengers on the streetcar while brandishing a small knife.

In 2016, a jury acquitted Forcillo of second-degree murder but convicted the officer of attempted murder. The conviction was related to a second volley of bullets Forcillo fired after Yatim was already down and gravely injured.

Forcillo was later convicted of perjury for claiming to be living with his ex-wife while on bail awaiting his appeal, when he had in fact moved in with his new fiancée. He was sentenced to a total of six-and-a-half years in prison for both offences.

In 2020, Forcillo was granted full parole, with officials noting his progress reintegrating into society. In a written decision, the Parole Board of Canada said Forcillo is a low risk for reoffending and has shown a high level of motivation and accountability while on day parole.


With files from CityNews staff and The Canadian Press

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