An Ottawa constable has been cleared in the death of a Somali Canadian man.
Ontario Court Justice Robert Kelly delivered his verdict in the case of Const. Daniel Montsion this morning in a hearing that was also livestreamed.
Montsion had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in the death of Abdirahman Abdi.
Prosecutors alleged the punches Montsion delivered on July 24, 2016, while wearing reinforced gloves caused facial injuries that precipitated Abdi’s death.
They argued Montsion’s use of force was unjustified and that there were many other actions he could have taken instead.
Defence lawyers, meanwhile, said the constable had no choice but to engage with Abdi and that the punches were intended as “distractionary” blows to facilitate his arrest.
