Family of man killed by Peel cops alleges racial profiling in $12M lawsuit
By Sam Pazzano, Toronto Sun
First posted: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 09:27 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 09:29 PM EDT
Jermaine Carby was victimized by racial profiling on the night Peel cops fatally shot the mentally ill man, a $12-million lawsuit by his family alleges.
In a statement of claim filed Tuesday against Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans, the services board and seven officers, Carby’s family alleges an officer pulled over driver Acacio Barros and passenger Carby Sept. 24, 2014 by “concocting a reason” — that the car’s licence plate was loose and its headlights weren’t on.
Carby’s family lawyer, Davin Charney, said the officer was “motivated by racial prejudice and stereotypes.”
“The officer questioned Carby under the guise of ‘carding,’ so that he could continue his baseless criminal investigation,” the lawsuit alleges.
Through police database checks, the officer learned that Carby suffered from mental illness, had previously attempted suicide and “had wanted police to shoot him,” the lawsuit alleges.
Carby, who was wanted on a warrant from B.C., “acted in self-defence, pulled out a knife to prevent the officers from searching him,” the lawsuit states, adding when Carby did not drop the weapon, he was hit by three police bullets.
Unknown police officers threatened to charge Barros with a criminal offence due to a small amount of drugs found in his Jetta, the lawsuit alleges.
“Barros believed he had better provide the SIU with a version of events favourable to police,” the suit claims.
Carby’s mother, Lorna Robinson, is seeking compensation for psychological injuries including depression, anxiety and nervous shock, due to the officers’ conduct.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and no statement of defence has been filed.
spazzano@postmedia.com
Jermaine Carby (Facebook)
Family of man killed by Peel cops alleges racial profiling in $12M lawsuit | Tor
By Sam Pazzano, Toronto Sun
First posted: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 09:27 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 09:29 PM EDT
Jermaine Carby was victimized by racial profiling on the night Peel cops fatally shot the mentally ill man, a $12-million lawsuit by his family alleges.
In a statement of claim filed Tuesday against Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans, the services board and seven officers, Carby’s family alleges an officer pulled over driver Acacio Barros and passenger Carby Sept. 24, 2014 by “concocting a reason” — that the car’s licence plate was loose and its headlights weren’t on.
Carby’s family lawyer, Davin Charney, said the officer was “motivated by racial prejudice and stereotypes.”
“The officer questioned Carby under the guise of ‘carding,’ so that he could continue his baseless criminal investigation,” the lawsuit alleges.
Through police database checks, the officer learned that Carby suffered from mental illness, had previously attempted suicide and “had wanted police to shoot him,” the lawsuit alleges.
Carby, who was wanted on a warrant from B.C., “acted in self-defence, pulled out a knife to prevent the officers from searching him,” the lawsuit states, adding when Carby did not drop the weapon, he was hit by three police bullets.
Unknown police officers threatened to charge Barros with a criminal offence due to a small amount of drugs found in his Jetta, the lawsuit alleges.
“Barros believed he had better provide the SIU with a version of events favourable to police,” the suit claims.
Carby’s mother, Lorna Robinson, is seeking compensation for psychological injuries including depression, anxiety and nervous shock, due to the officers’ conduct.
None of the allegations have been proven in court, and no statement of defence has been filed.
spazzano@postmedia.com
Jermaine Carby (Facebook)
Family of man killed by Peel cops alleges racial profiling in $12M lawsuit | Tor