Crown seeks 90 days in jail for Edmonton police officer convicted of 2019 assault arrest
Crown prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence of between 60 and 90 days for an Edmonton police officer who assaulted an Indigenous man in a 2019 arrest.
A sentencing hearing for Const. Michael Partington began Wednesday morning at Alberta Provincial Court in Edmonton.
He was shown on video to drop his knee into the back of Elliot Houle, a suspect who was prone on the ground.
Const. Partington was found guilty after a five-day trial in August where Judge Peter Ayotte ruled the officer’s actions were “not only … unnecessary, but in the circumstances a gratuitous assault on an unresisting suspect.”
At trial, Partington claimed to be helping a fellow officer restrain the suspect and that his use of force was reasonable given the circumstances.
He has been suspended without pay since charges were laid in June 2020.
In addition to to the jail sentence, prosecutors argued Wednesday for a probation period of between 12 and 18 months that would include community service and anger management classes.
"Mr Houle was a vulnerable member of society at the time Constable Partington drove his knee in his back," said Crown prosecutor Carla MacPhail.
Defence lawyer Mike Danyluik is seeking a suspended sentence which would allow Partington to avoid a criminal record.
Ayotte has reserved his decision to a later date.
‘DIDN’T DO ANYTHING’
The incident happened Aug. 27, 2019, in the area of 115 Avenue and 95 Street.
Houle's anguished cries can be heard on video of the arrest, at one point yelling, "I didn't do anything," as he's subdued.
"Please stop!" he yells repeatedly as officers pin him down.
Another police officer walking over from a parked vehicle drops his knee into Houle's back, causing him to scream out in pain once again.
"Do not run from the police," an officer yells back. "Do you think I wouldn't catch you?"
"You ran away from me," one officer later says. "You didn't even confirm your name."
As Houle is stood up to be taken to a nearby police vehicle, he asks the officers, "What is your problem?"
An officer then appears to strike him in the face, causing him to scream and fall to his knees.
Partington has been an EPS officer for five years after a career in the Canadian military.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A man was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.