Edmonton police officer fined $2K for assault on Indigenous man
An Edmonton police officer has been fined $2,000 for assaulting an Indigenous man in 2019.
Const. Michael Partington was found guilty of assault in August after he dropped his knee into the back of Elliot Houle in what Judge Peter Ayotte called a "gratuitous assault on an unresisting suspect."
The Crown sought a jail sentence of between 60 to 90 days, while the defence wanted a suspended sentence.
Judge Ayotte decided on a $2,000 fine, and Partington will have a criminal record.
"Defence counsel argued forcefully that I should consider his client’s actions 'impulsive,'" Judge Ayotte wrote in his decision.
"The word that best describes what I saw is not 'impulsive,' but 'deliberate.'"
'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.
He has been suspended without pay since charges were laid in June 2020.
The EPS told CTV News the Professional Standards Branch will conduct a full investigation now that the criminal case has ended.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.