'I paid on the bus—I got choked': Victim testifies in Toronto officer’s assault trial
Warning: This story contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some readers/viewers.
Video played in court shows a plainclothes Toronto police officer grabbing a Black TTC rider by the throat within seconds of arriving at a call that the young man was causing a disturbance and not paying his fare.
But Chase Richards, 40, testified that he had paid and tried to prove it several times, but wasn’t believed by a TTC driver—who pulled over and cleared the bus—or by the responding officers in the Scarborough Dec. 13, 2019 incident.
“I took out my wallet and I showed them I had sufficient funds and I tapped my card again to prove to my fellow passengers that I wasn’t cheating or causing a disturbance,” Richards testified on Thursday afternoon at Old City Hall.
“The driver said he doesn’t want to ride with me because I smell like cigarettes,” he said. “I told him my smell shouldn’t affect you doing your job.”
Crown Attorney Robert Shallow asked Richards, of the entire event, “You said this is racism, why do you say that?”
“I don’t think if this was a young white male on the back of the bus we would have to go through all that we’re dealing with,” Richards replied.
Richards was accused of mischief and causing a disturbance. But the trial is now examining the conduct of Toronto Det. Christopher Hutchings, who is accused of assaulting Richards and using excessive force.
Toronto police Det. Christopher Hutchings is seen with his lawyer on June 17, 2021. (Jon Woodward/CTV News Toronto)
Richards testified that he tapped his Presto card when he got on the bus’s rear door, but was called out by the driver, who put the bus out of service.
Video shows others leaving the bus, but Richards stays.
“At the time I decided to stay on for the simple fact that I’m a young Black man and I don’t want to be accused of cheating and leaving the scene,” Richards testified.
On police radio played in court, an officer says, “TTC is reporting a bus is holding with a male refusing to get off and not letting the driver drive, standing right beside him.”
Hutchings and another officer arrive. The three are in conversation for about 25 seconds.
“One of them said, ‘Is this the mother, excuse my language, mother**** that’s causing the problem?’ I replied I’m not a mother***** because I paid my fare,” Richards testified.
Then Hutchings is seen in the video grabbing Richards, pushing him to the other side of the bus, and holding him against the seat by grabbing him.
The video shows him holding Richards by the neck for at least 30 seconds before throwing him to the ground on the bus and putting his foot on his body.
Another video played in court shows Richards being held in a police car talking to two other officers. One officer tells him he’s being held for causing a disturbance.
“For paying?” Richards responds. “I showed my Presto card. I paid on the bus. I got choked. He physically choked me.”
He asks the officer to check the video of the bus — video that has turned out to be a crucial evidence at trial.
“Before you close the door, can you check that the bus cameras are working,” he asks.
Chase Richards testifies in court on June 17, 2021. (John Mantha)
Hutchings has been suspended with pay from Toronto police and has pleaded not guilty. Detective Jason Tanouye, Hutchings' partner that night, was also charged with assault.
In a statement, the Toronto Police Service said that, “officers are trained to use proportionate use of force needed to gain control of a situation safely and without injury during dynamic situations."
"The Service does not teach neck restraint or “chokeholds” as a standard.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.