News Release
SIU Continues Toronto Custody Death Investigation
Case Number: 05-TCD-023
The SIU was notified that on February 21, 2005, Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers and paramedics went to a residence on Bathurst Street in response to a woman's call for assistance and a man behaving in a strange manner. The man was arrested under the Mental Health Act and taken to William Osler Health Centre, Etobicoke Hospital Campus. While in hospital the man went into distress and was pronounced dead a short time later.
The deceased is identified as Adeyeri Robinson. A post mortem examination conducted on February 22, 2005 identified no anatomical cause of death. Toxicology and pathology tests are underway.
The SIU has designated one witness officer and two subject officers from the TPS.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations