Overview

A Toronto police officer, Cst. Calvin Au, is on trial for the death of Brampton teenager Chadd Facey, which occurred during an interaction involving a counterfeit Apple watch.

Incident Details

On April 26, 2021, Au and fellow officer Cst. Gurmakh Benning approached Facey after he attempted to sell them a fake watch. Au’s testimony describes how he initiated a chase after Facey tried to flee, believing he was compelled to act.

Prosecution's Challenge

Crown prosecutor Sean Horgan questioned whether Au's response was justified, pointing out that the officers had Facey boxed in and suggesting that the use of force was excessive.

Body Language and Perception

During cross-examination, Horgan highlighted the physical disparity between Au and Facey and questioned Au's interpretation of Facey’s behavior during the encounter.

Charges and Consequences

Facey later died from a brain injury sustained during the altercation. While originally charged with manslaughter, Au now faces a lesser charge of assault causing bodily harm, maintaining a not guilty plea.

Implications for Policing

As the case unfolds, it is raising critical questions about police conduct and the appropriateness of force used by law enforcement, with significant public interest in the outcome of the trial.