Close X
Thursday, April 17, 2025
ADVT 
National

G20 disciplinary hearing for Toronto cop to resume on Dec. 1 with new judge

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Nov, 2014 12:18 PM

    TORONTO — A disciplinary hearing for the most senior police officer charged in relation with mass arrests made during Toronto's G20 summit, which was put on hold last week after the presiding judge fell ill, will resume on Dec. 1.

    Retired Ontario Superior court judge Peter Grossi had to leave his role on Friday due to medical reasons.

    Another retired Ontario Superior Court judge, John Hamilton, is now presiding over the police hearing for Supt. Dave (Mark) Fenton.

    Lawyers involved in the case say Hamilton has agreed to consider the evidence and testimony that was brought before Grossi last week, which means the hearing can pick up where it left off.

    Fenton has pleaded not guilty to a total of five charges of unlawful arrest and discreditable conduct stemming from two "kettling'' incidents that occurred over the G20 summit weekend.

    The first took place on Saturday, June 26, 2010, hours after a small group of vandals smashed windows and set police cruisers alight.

    Fenton ordered officers to box in protesters in front of a downtown hotel. More than 260 people were arrested and taken to a makeshift prisoner processing centre, which came under severe criticism for its deplorable conditions.

    The second incident occurred the next day when, six minutes after coming on shift, Fenton ordered police to keep scores of people standing for hours at a downtown intersection despite a severe thunderstorm that left them drenched.

    Lawyers for some complainants who were caught up in the mass detentions have told the hearing that Fenton's actions were overly broad and led to the violation of people's civil rights.

    Prosecution lawyers have said the hearing needs to determine whether the arrests ordered by Fenton were "lawful and necessary" and whether they constituted conduct that would lower the esteem of the Toronto Police Service in the eyes of the public.

    Meanwhile, Fenton's defence lawyer has said the hearing is only dealing with two issues — whether Fenton had grounds to issue his arrest orders, and whether he failed to monitor the processing and detention of those who had been arrested.

    More than 1,000 people were detained over the summit weekend in what is considered the largest mass arrest in Canada's peacetime history. Most were released without charge.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Man Fatally Dead Shot Dead by Vancouver Police Identified

    Man Fatally Dead Shot Dead by Vancouver Police Identified
    VANCOUVER — The B.C. Coroners Service has identified a man who was fatally shot during an encounter with Vancouver police.

    Man Fatally Dead Shot Dead by Vancouver Police Identified

    Short-term Action Required In Mount Polley Tailings Pond Clean-up: Government

    Short-term Action Required In Mount Polley Tailings Pond Clean-up: Government
    WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A government progress report into a voluminous wastewater spill at a south-central B.C. gold and copper mine calls for quick completion of human health and environmental risk assessments.

    Short-term Action Required In Mount Polley Tailings Pond Clean-up: Government

    Hockey legend Pat Quinn remembered as a straight shooter with a heart of gold

    Hockey legend Pat Quinn remembered as a straight shooter with a heart of gold
    On the ice, behind the bench and behind his desk, Pat Quinn was an imposing figure.

    Hockey legend Pat Quinn remembered as a straight shooter with a heart of gold

    City, police sites in Ottawa hacked amid claims teen suspect is being framed

    City, police sites in Ottawa hacked amid claims teen suspect is being framed
    OTTAWA — A statement posted online says attacks on the Ottawa police website are in retaliation for what it claims are police efforts to frame an innocent teen.

    City, police sites in Ottawa hacked amid claims teen suspect is being framed

    NewLink Genetics gets some big league help on Ebola vaccine, enlists Merck

    NewLink Genetics gets some big league help on Ebola vaccine, enlists Merck
    TORONTO — The small American company developing a made-in-Canada Ebola vaccine has just received some major league help.

    NewLink Genetics gets some big league help on Ebola vaccine, enlists Merck

    Sex with buddy's mom not a motive for stabbing, Eaton Centre killer testifies

    Sex with buddy's mom not a motive for stabbing, Eaton Centre killer testifies
    TORONTO — The man who terrified a crowded mall food court with deadly gunfire in June 2012 says he had previously been attacked by six people.

    Sex with buddy's mom not a motive for stabbing, Eaton Centre killer testifies