Lawyer for accused in cop's murder asks public to keep an open mind about 'tragic case'
The lawyer for a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a longtime Toronto police officer is pleading with the public to keep an “open mind” about the “tragic case.”
Const. Jeffrey Northrup, 55, was killed on July 2 when he was struck by a vehicle while responding to a report of a robbery in progress at an underground parking lot at Toronto City Hall. Investigators have since described the incident as an “intentional and deliberate act” and have charged 31-year-old Umar Zameer with first-degree murder.
Zameer made a brief appearance in court at Old City Hall on Friday morning, where he was remanded into custody until another appearance scheduled for Aug. 13.
Following his appearance, his lawyer Nader Hasan made a brief statement to reporters in which he expressed “sincere condolences” to Northrup’s family on behalf of his client while asking Torontonians to refrain from making a judgement about the case for now.
“When this matter goes to trial, the complete story of what took place in that city hall parking lot will emerge and it would be a mistake to assume that Mr. Zameer is guilty just because he has been charged with a very serious offence or because a dedicated public servant died on the job during this tragic event,” he said.
Few details have been released about the incident that claimed Northrup’s life and caused his partner to be hospitalized, though police were quick to deem it a homicide.
Hasan said that while “it goes without saying” that what transpired was a “terrible, terrible tragedy,” that doesn’t necessarily mean that criminality was involved.
“It is important to recognize that thus far, you have only been told of an allegation devoid of any context or detail about what is said to have taken place,” he said. “When this matter goes to trial, the evidence; not conjecture and not speculation, will fill in that detail and context and until that time, I ask that you keep an open mind and that you not rush to judgement.”
Northrup spent more than 31 years with the Toronto Police Service at the time of his death, including the last 13 as an officer with 52 Division in downtown Toronto.
He left behind a wife and three children.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.