Why was Umar Zameer tried for murder? Observers raise questions about prosecution – Toronto [Video]

Legal observers are questioning the decision to charge and prosecute a man for murder in the death of a Toronto police officer when the evidence did not support it, saying the case raises concerns about fair process in the justice system.

The critiques of the way the case was handled came ahead of Toronto police announcing Monday evening that they’ve asked Ontario Provincial Police to conduct an independent review following “adverse comments” made by the judge who presided over Umar Zameer’s trial. The Toronto police chief also ordered a full internal review of all aspects of plainclothes policing.

Zameer was found not guilty Sunday in the death of Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup, who died on July 2, 2021, after he was hit by a vehicle in an underground parking garage at Toronto City Hall. Zameer had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and testified he didn’t know Northrup and his partner, who were in …