Toronto police officer charged with murder
A Toronto police officer has been charged with second-degree murder - the first time a member of the force has faced a murder charge for his actions on duty.
Crown prosecutors laid the charge against Const. David Cavanagh in a Toronto courtroom Thursday, after an investigation involving Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit.
Cavanagh had originally been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of 26-year-old Eric Osawe in late 2010.
Osawe was shot in the early hours of Sept. 29, 2010, during a police search at an Etobicoke apartment near Dundas West Street and Kipling Avenue that led to the arrest of Osawe's younger brother, Ebony, on firearms-related offences.
The SIU alleges Cavanagh fatally shot Eric Osawe during that search. Osawe was taken to St. Michael's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The SIU, an independent civilian agency, investigates whenever a citizen is seriously injured or killed during incidents with police.
Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General brought in Ottawa lawyer Robert Morrison to prosecute this case. He has been working closely with the SIU.
The murder charge implies that the Crown believes there is evidence the accused intended to kill the victim. A homicide committed without intent to kill is considered manslaughter.
Cavanagh has been out on bail since being charged in December 2010. He has been suspended with pay.
Cavanagh was also in the public spotlight in 2005 for the armed takedown of two suspects who fled from Yonge Street following the Boxing Day killing of teenager Jane Creba.
The arrest by Cavanagh and three other officers helped secure arrests and the conviction of one of the accused in the Creba case.
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Crown prosecutors laid the charge against Const. David Cavanagh in a Toronto courtroom Thursday, after an investigation involving Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit.
Cavanagh had originally been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of 26-year-old Eric Osawe in late 2010.
Osawe was shot in the early hours of Sept. 29, 2010, during a police search at an Etobicoke apartment near Dundas West Street and Kipling Avenue that led to the arrest of Osawe's younger brother, Ebony, on firearms-related offences.
The SIU alleges Cavanagh fatally shot Eric Osawe during that search. Osawe was taken to St. Michael's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The SIU, an independent civilian agency, investigates whenever a citizen is seriously injured or killed during incidents with police.
Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General brought in Ottawa lawyer Robert Morrison to prosecute this case. He has been working closely with the SIU.
The murder charge implies that the Crown believes there is evidence the accused intended to kill the victim. A homicide committed without intent to kill is considered manslaughter.
Cavanagh has been out on bail since being charged in December 2010. He has been suspended with pay.
Cavanagh was also in the public spotlight in 2005 for the armed takedown of two suspects who fled from Yonge Street following the Boxing Day killing of teenager Jane Creba.
The arrest by Cavanagh and three other officers helped secure arrests and the conviction of one of the accused in the Creba case.
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