After nearly three years, Umar Zameer has been acquitted of all criminal charges, including first-degree murder, in the death of Toronto police officer Det.-Const. Jeffrey Northrup. The emotional verdict was delivered on the fourth day of jury deliberations, leading to tears from Zameer and his family.
Zameer had been accused of running over Northrup with his car in an underground parking garage beneath Toronto City Hall on July 2, 2021. The jury found that the Crown did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Zameer intended to kill Northrup, as required for a murder conviction.
Standing outside the courthouse, Zameer expressed his remorse, stating, “I never meant any of this to happen. I am sorry for what has happened.” His defense lawyer, Nader Hasan, emphasized that while it was not a day for celebration, it was a day for relief as the justice system worked as it should.
However, Northrup’s wife, Margaret Northrup, expressed disappointment in the outcome, stating, “From day one all I’ve wanted was accountability.” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw also shared his disappointment, acknowledging the difficult time the trial had been for the police force.
The trial raised questions about the actions of the police officers involved, with conflicting testimonies from experts and officers. The judge even questioned the Crown’s changing theories throughout the trial, expressing doubts about the possibility of a second-degree murder conviction based on the evidence presented.
As Zameer walks free after the verdict, the case serves as a reminder of the complexities of the justice system and the importance of thorough investigations in cases of such gravity.