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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
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.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
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.
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.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.