Some Canadians are wondering why Ontario Premier Doug Ford has not commented following Umar Zameer’s verdict which found him not guilty of a Toronto police officer’s death in 2021.
On Sunday, following three days of deliberations, jurors found Zameer not guilty in the death of Toronto police Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup on July 2, 2021. Zameer was accused of first-degree murder and manslaughter for running over Northrup in the parking garage at Toronto City Hall.
During that evening, Northrup, along with other officers were dressed in plainclothes and investigating a stabbing. When they approached Zameer’s car, he thought he and his family were being attacked.
Zameer says he was in the car with his wife and their two-year-old son when the officers ambushed them. When they started yelling, he locked the doors and drove forward to escape.
When he noticed a van was blocking his exit, he reversed and went over what he thought was a speed bump. Only later did he realize he ran a person over after he was arrested.
Back in 2021, when Zameer was released on bail for the incident, Ford tweeted his personal thoughts towards the case calling the situation “completely unacceptable.”
Former Toronto mayor John Tory also expressed his criticism of the case.
After the verdict was revealed, the 34-year-old accountant burst into tears and sighs of relief before thanking lawyers and Canada’s judicial system.
“I never meant any of this to happen. I am sorry for what had happened but I never meant any of this to happen to this day,” Zameer said.
“This was an unfortunate, terrible situation that happened,” Nader Hasan, Zameer’s lawyer said, outside the courthouse to reporters. “And as a result, an unfortunate and tragic death ensued, but it was not intentional. It was not a criminal act. It was an accident, plain and simple.”
Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy also offered an apology to Zameer.
“You have my…my deepest apologies for what you have been through,” she said.
In response to the verdict, Northrup’s widow said she was disappointed by the verdict and wanted a different outcome.
“From day one, all I’ve wanted is accountability. We miss Jeff every day. However, we continue on with him in our hearts, never to be forgotten,” Margaret Northrup said to media according to reports.
Toronto police also shared their statement regarding the verdict.
“The Board respects the democratic legal process which resulted in this verdict. This verdict does not change the immense grief we feel for the loss of Constable Northrup, or the enormous tragedy of his death,” TPS said.
“We offer our continued condolences to all of those who have been affected by the death of Constable Northrup, and, most especially, his family and friends,” it continued.
As a result of Sunday’s verdict, donations have been pouring in towards an online fundraiser to cover Zameer’s legal costs. Organized by his wife, Aaida Y Shaikh, the GoFundMe page has raised over $96,000 so far at the time of publication.
Premier Ford has yet to comment on the verdict and some Canadians are questioning his silence.
“Doug Ford should have spoken up by now! What a loser!” one X user said.
“I would sue. Doug Ford called this man a criminal,” another user commented.
“Premier @fordnation spoke without the correct info and not letting the justice system do its job. Hell will freeze over before he apologizes or admit he was wrong,” another user said.
