The lawyer representing Sammy Yatim’s father in a Toronto police disciplinary hearing is raising concerns about delays in the case of the officer who Tasered the young man as he lay dying. Sgt. Dusan Pravica is facing one count of misconduct under Ontario’s Police Services Act in connection to the July 2013 incident that left Yatim, 18, dead and Pravica’s colleague, Const. James Forcillo, convicted of attempted murder.Pravica, who has been with the police service for 22 years, was charged following an investigation by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), after a complaint was filed by Yatim’s father, Nabil Yatim. The watchdog’s probe found that Pravica — who climbed aboard the streetcar where Yatim was fatally shot and Tasered him as he lay on the ground — used “unnecessary force,” “failed to assess the totality of the circumstances” and “acted in haste.” Accordingly, Toronto police charged Pravica with misconduct.More than five years after Yatim’s death, Pravica’s case has still not been heard.“This matter has been before the tribunal for many, many months,” lawyer Joseph Figliomeni said at a brief appearance before the police tribunal Tuesday, urging hearing officer Insp. Richard Hegedus to set a hearing date. Figliomeni said Nabil Yatim’s concerns have been found to be legitimate and that his client would like the matter to move forward, saying a hearing date would at least allow everyone to know “where the goalposts are.” He alleged delays in the case were happening “under the guise of disclosure deficiencies.”Joanne Mulcahy, Pravica’s lawyer, said there have been serious disclosure issues in the case, saying she has not yet received basic documents including transcripts of interviews she knows were done. The tribunal heard there have been some delays in providing disclosure to Pravica, in part bec ...
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