Doug Ford shouldn't politicize court cases, Ontario opposition says after Umar Zameer's aquittal
Ontario’s opposition leaders are warning Premier Doug Ford against politicizing the judicial system after a man whose bail he once publicly question was acquitted.
Umar Zameer was found not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Toronto Police Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup on Sunday following a five-week trial.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
A jury heard that he was with his pregnant wife and young son in a parking garage when plainclothes officers rushed the vehicle while investigating a stabbing he was not involved in.
Zameer said he did not know the people approaching his vehicle were police officers, and told the court that he feared for his life and tried to drive away.
Northrup was in his blind spot, the defence argued, and was run over.
Testimony from officers at the scene was questioned by the judge overseeing the trial, who suggested that based on expert testimony Northrup was not standing in the middle of the laneway and visible to Zameer as the Crown claimed.
The jury agreed and Justice Anne Molloy offered him an apology on his way out of the courtroom.
A courtroom sketch of the jury that acquitted Umar Zameer, seen behind Crown attorney Karen Simon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould
Zameer’s case drew immediate attention from politicians in the aftermath of the 2021 incident.
When he was released on bail there was a public outcry, with Ford posting on social media the decision was “beyond comprehension.”
“It’s completely unacceptable that the person charged for this heinous crime is now out on bail,” he wrote on X. “Our justice system needs to get its act together and start putting victims and their families ahead of criminals.”
Then-mayor John Tory echoed the statement, saying publicly that it was “almost impossible to imagine a circumstance in which an accused in a case of first-degree murder would be granted bail.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, New Democratic Party Leader Marit Stiles said that her thoughts are with both families impacted.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to politicize the tragedy that we saw unfold here,” she said. “I hope that if the premier takes any lesson from this, it’s that it’s best not to try to politicise a case that’s underway.”
Liberal Parliamentary Leader John Fraser suggested that Ford should apologize for making the comment in the first place.
“We keep our politicians and our judges and our court system separate. We do that for a reason. For the premier and I think John Tory to comment on that, a specific case, was wrong, totally wrong.”
Fraser went on to suggest that Ford make the comment to “chase headlines” and that Ontarians should be concerned about the premier’s use of phrases such as “like-minded judges” following this case.
“So I guess what he means by that is people who would be prepared not to listen to the evidence. It's a big concern,” Fraser said. “It’s not our job. It's not our business. We don't need to politicise the courts.”
Ford has been highly criticized for appointing registered lobbyists to a committee that recommends judges, saying he did so because he wanted like-minded individuals in the roles.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, as well as opposition parties, have said that judicial appointments remain non-partisan.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Abby O'Brien
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Election deniers: West Virginia voters must pick from GOP candidates who still dispute 2020 election
When West Virginia Republicans vote in Tuesday's primary, they will have a hard time finding a major candidate on the ballot in any statewide race who openly acknowledges that U.S. President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.