Officer Forcillo’s life as he knew it is over

Re Forcillo’s sudden remorse over Yatim seems disingenuous, Letter to the editor, Aug. 19

It’s regrettable that James Forcillo ended up killing Sammy Yatim. The death of any person should makes us all sad.

However, Forcillo did not shoot an innocent bystander.

In the discharging of his duties as a police officer, he made a split-second decision and shot a mentally unstable man wielding a 12-inch switchblade with which he’d threatened riders on a streetcar.

Maybe Forcillo’s apology is sincere and maybe it isn’t. I don’t know him and can’t judge. But he is being treated like every other prisoner, some whose crimes make us cringe and give us nightmares.

In Canada, a prisoner is eligible for full parole when one has served a third of the sentence, and day parole six months before that.

Since Forcillo was sentenced to six years, and he has served 21 months, he is eligible for full parole in three months.

He has been granted day parole, which is in line with the six-month guideline.

Maybe Chris Churchill might feel a little differently if they had a partner, son, daughter, parent or sibling who put their life in danger every day to keep us safe.

Or, even worse, had a loved one hurt by a criminal or a Yatim fighting his demons.

Forcillo may have ended Yatim’s life and, though officer Forcillo may be alive, “life” as he knew it has also ended.

He no longer has a career and likely not many job prospects.

Food for thought, Churchill, and others who have demonized officer Forcillo without waking a mile in his shoes. Rita Maio, Woodbridge