Man accused in death of Toronto officer wants publication ban changed to fix 'misleading narrative'
The lawyer for the man accused of first-degree murder in the death of a Toronto police officer in July told Ontario Superior Court Thursday that statements made by the police and politicians after his client was granted bail are putting his client’s right to a fair trial at risk.
The solution, according to lawyer Nader Hasan, is to release a portion of the reasons for the bail decision to release Umar Zameer — saying that’s the only way to restore balance from assumptions and inaccurate information released in the case.
“It’s important to correct the mischaracterization. It’s meant to be corrected, not to gain strategic advantage, but to restore that baseline equilibrium that ought to exist to ensure a fair trial,” Hasan told Justice Jill Copeland in the hearing Thursday.
At this point, the publication ban remains in place and CTV News is unable to report the information that came to light in the bail hearing.
Zameer, 31, was charged with first-degree murder after it is alleged he struck Toronto police officer Constable Jeffrey Northrup with a vehicle in a parking garage near City Hall on July 2.
Const. Northrup was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead. The 31-year-old veteran of the force was in plainclothes when he and another officer responded to a priority call about a stabbing in the area.
At the time, Toronto Police Chief James Ramer told reporters that, “We believe this was an intentional and deliberate act.”
But in a decision in September, Justice Jill Copeland ordered Umar Zameer released on $335,000 bail, with electronic monitoring, and a restriction from operating a motor vehicle.
That decision was panned by Ontario’s premier Doug Ford, who said in a tweet that the decision is “beyond comprehension… our justice system needs to get its act together and start putting victims and their families ahead of criminals.”
Toronto’s Mayor, John Tory, wrote, “It is almost impossible to imagine a circumstance in which an accused in a case of first-degree murder would be granted bail.”
Hasan described those public statements as “misconstruing” the decision in his application, and added that fringe media outlets had gone further in allegations that were not based in fact and leading others to speculate that Zameer’s life may be at risk.
“In this case, the public has already been influenced by information that is not only one-sided but also entirely inaccurate. It is necessary for counterbalance that misinformation by varying the extant publication ban,” Hasan wrote in an application that was heard on Thursday.
“What we’re seeking is an order that acts as a corrective measure to ensure that the improper misleading narrative doesn’t interfere down the road with Mr. Zameer’s fair trial rights,” he said.
Publication bans are mandatory in Canada when asked for by the defense, with the idea that the court can hear facts of the case in deciding whether to grant bail without having accusations published in a way that could prejudice a jury.
But Hasan said the ban prevents media from reporting other facts that provide more context in the case and preserves the integrity of the administration of justice and gives the public their right to know.
Crown lawyer Karen Simone told the hearing she opposes any change to the ban, warning that sharing specific, untested evidence could taint witnesses in the upcoming trial.
“With respect to the Crown’s role the Crown has an obligation to ensure the accused received a fair trial as well,” Simone said.
Justice Copeland, who heard the application on Thursday, debated the merits of the application, saying that giving more attention to the case might create new problems.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Local MP, MLA call on federal government to remove sunken vessel in Saint John River
An MP and an MLA are calling for the removal of a sunken vessel in the Saint John River.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.