Umar Zameer’s lawyer: ‘We knew the truth’

Summary

The script recounts the intense emotions and reactions following the not guilty verdict for Umar Zamir, accused of killing an officer. Defense attorney N. Hassan describes the courtroom tension, the relief of the family, and the challenges of moving forward. He addresses the premature public narrative labeling Zamir a 'cop killer' and criticizes political and police comments, emphasizing the presumption of innocence. The attorney also discusses the unusual legal strategy of an immediate defense opening and reflects on the significance of this case in his career.

Takeaways

• 😢 The courtroom was filled with tension and emotions when the verdict was read, with many shedding tears including the defendant's family and legal team.
• 🏆 The defendant, Mr. Zamir, has a strong support system with a caring family, but continues to feel the weight of the incident and its impact on Officer Northrup's family.
• 🤔 Mr. Zamir's first concern was for Officer Northrup's family, showing empathy and humanity despite the charges against him.
• 📚 The defense took an unusual and risky approach by giving their opening statement immediately after the Crown's, a move that demonstrated confidence in their narrative.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The defense's strategy was based on the unwavering truth of the case, as they knew the evidence and testimonies would not change their story.
• 🗣️ There was significant public and political pressure, with some high-ranking officials making prejudicial comments before the trial's conclusion.
• 🚨 The police chief and other officials were criticized for their comments, which were seen as irresponsible and potentially harmful to the integrity of the case.
• 📉 The aftermath of the verdict saw a shift in public opinion, with many expressing support for the defendant and the legal team, and a desire to contribute to a legal defense fund.
• 👮‍♂️ The current police chief's comments were interpreted as speaking to a specific audience, possibly current police officers, and were seen as challenging the verdict.
• 🏛️ The legal team emphasized the importance of the presumption of innocence and the role of elected officials in upholding the integrity of the justice system.
• 🏆 The lawyer highlighted the significance of this case among his career, emphasizing that it was fulfilling and important due to the truth and justice served, not because of any legal trickery.

Q & A

What was the atmosphere in the court when the verdict was read?

The atmosphere was tense with everyone on edge. When the verdict was announced, it was followed by an avalanche of emotions, including sobbing from the defendant's family and relief for the defendant.

How did the defendant, Mr. Zamir, react to the verdict?

Mr. Zamir's family was sobbing, and he himself was feeling awful, not for himself, but for Officer Northrop and his family, showing empathy and concern for them throughout the process.

What was the unusual approach taken by the defense in this case?

The defense decided to give their opening immediately after the Crown's opening, which is considered unusual and risky, as the defense typically waits to hear the prosecution's full case before presenting their own.

Why did the defense choose to give their opening right after the Crown's?

They knew the truth of the case would not change regardless of the prosecution's evidence, so they wanted to present the truthful narrative to the jury, judge, and Canadians as soon as possible.

How did the public narrative differ from the actual events of the case?

The public narrative, influenced by comments from high-ranking officials, labeled the defendant as a 'cop killer,' which was a stark contrast to the actual events and the truth of the case.

What was the defense's response to the comments made by high-ranking officials about the case?

The defense criticized these comments as ignorant, reckless, and irresponsible, emphasizing the importance of the presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system.

How did the defense deal with the public backlash, including hate mail and death threats?

The defense did not blame the public for their reactions, understanding that their hatred was stoked by the narrative presented by elected officials and the police chief.

What was the change in public sentiment after the trial?

After the trial, the defense received an outpouring of support from people across the country who wanted to contribute to a legal defense fund and expressed their support for the truth revealed in the trial.

How did the police chief's comments after the verdict affect the perception of the Toronto Police Service?

The police chief's comments, expressing disagreement with the not guilty verdict, were seen as frustrating and embarrassing, as they did not align with the expectations of honor and acceptance of the legal process.

What does the defense believe accountability looks like in this case?

Accountability does not mean a guilty verdict for an innocent person. The defense believes that the truth and the actual events of the case should be the focus, and that sending an innocent person to jail would not have been just.

How does this case rank among the lawyer's other high-profile cases?

This case is considered one of the most fulfilling and important cases the lawyer has worked on, emphasizing the significance of each case to the client, regardless of public prominence.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Courtroom Emotion After Verdict

The first paragraph describes the intense atmosphere in the courtroom as the verdict was announced. The tension was palpable, with everyone waiting anxiously. Upon hearing the verdict, a wave of emotions swept through the room, including tears from the defendant and his family. The defendant, Mr. Zamir, has been living with the burden of the case for three years, and despite the relief of the verdict, he continues to feel remorse for Officer Northrop and his family. The defense attorney discusses the unusual strategy of giving their opening statement immediately after the Crown's, emphasizing the unwavering truth of their narrative. The paragraph also addresses the public narrative shaped by political figures and the defense's response to those comments, highlighting the importance of the presumption of innocence in the justice system.

05:04

🚔 Police Chief's Reaction and Public Support

The second paragraph delves into the aftermath of the not guilty verdict, focusing on the reactions of the police chief and the public. The police chief's comments suggest disagreement with the verdict, which the defense attorney finds frustrating, as it undermines the jury's decision and the justice system's integrity. The attorney also addresses the support they have received from Canadians who now understand the truth of the case, contrasting it with the initial hate mail and threats they received. The conversation touches on the role of the police chief in representing both the police force and the city, and the importance of honoring the truth in the case of a fallen officer.

10:06

🏅 Reflections on a High-Profile Case

In the final paragraph, the defense attorney reflects on the significance of the case in the context of their career. Despite being recognized as a top lawyer and having worked on high-profile cases, the attorney emphasizes that the not guilty verdict was due to the truth of the case, not any legal trickery. They express that while this case has brought them prominence, it is one of many important cases they have handled, each with its own significance to the client involved. The attorney also acknowledges the support they have received and the importance of treating every case with the same dedication and care.

Keywords

💡Verdict

A verdict is the decision made by a jury at the end of a trial, determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. In the context of the video, the verdict's announcement created a tense atmosphere, with an 'avalanche of emotion' as the truth was revealed, indicating the significant impact on all parties involved.

💡Tension

Tension refers to a feeling of anxiety or strain, often due to anticipation or uncertainty. The script describes the courtroom as being filled with tension before the verdict, suggesting the high stakes and emotional weight on the participants and observers.

💡Emotional Relief

Emotional relief is a feeling of release from stress or anxiety. The video mentions a 'tidal wave of relief' experienced by the defendant's family, illustrating the intense emotional journey they underwent during the trial.

💡Support System

A support system consists of friends, family, or other resources that provide assistance and encouragement. The script mentions Mr. Zamir having a 'good support system' in the form of his family, which is crucial for his ability to move forward after the trial.

💡Presumption of Innocence

The presumption of innocence is a legal principle that asserts a person is considered not guilty until proven guilty. The script criticizes comments made by politicians that disregard this principle, emphasizing its importance in the justice system.

💡Cross-Examination

Cross-examination is the process in a trial where the opposing counsel questions a witness to test the accuracy and credibility of their testimony. The video discusses the strategic choice to forgo this traditional approach by giving an opening statement immediately after the Crown's, which is unusual and considered risky.

💡Narrative

In the context of the video, a narrative refers to the story or explanation of events as presented by a party in a trial. The defense's decision to present their narrative early was intended to counter the public's preconceived notions influenced by early and potentially misleading statements from authorities.

💡Accountability

Accountability is the obligation to report on or be responsible for one's actions. The script discusses the concept of accountability in the context of seeking justice and closure for the victim's family, with the implication that the truth and the verdict are part of holding parties accountable.

💡Influence

Influence refers to the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. The video mentions the lawyer's influence in the legal community and how his involvement in high-profile cases, including this one, contributes to his reputation.

💡High-Profile Cases

High-profile cases are legal cases that attract significant public attention or media coverage due to their complexity, the parties involved, or the issues at stake. The script notes the lawyer's history with such cases, which may influence public perception and the legal strategies employed.

💡Legal Defense Fund

A legal defense fund is a pool of money collected to finance the legal defense of an individual or group. The script mentions the support from the public who wish to contribute to such a fund, indicating the community's engagement with and financial support for the case.

Highlights

The courtroom atmosphere was extremely tense leading up to the verdict, with everyone on edge.

Upon the verdict being read, an avalanche of emotions was released, including sobbing from the defendant's family and the defense team.

The family of Mr. Zamir has been living with the case for three years, and the verdict brought a tidal wave of relief.

The challenge of moving on with life in the city, burdened by the case's weight, is significant for Mr. Zamir and his family.

Mr. Zamir has a strong support system but continues to feel awful for Officer Northrup and his family.

Mr. Zamir's first concern was the well-being of Officer Northrup's family, showing empathy beyond his own situation.

The defense took an unusual and risky approach by giving their opening immediately after the Crown's opening.

The defense's decision was based on the knowledge that their narrative would not change regardless of the prosecution's evidence.

The defense aimed to present the truthful narrative to the court, judge, and Canadians as soon as possible.

There was a stark contrast between the public narrative of 'cop killer' and the actual events of the case.

High-ranking officials, including the premier and police chief, made irresponsible and ignorant comments about the case.

The defense faced hate mail and death threats due to the public narrative stoked by elected officials and the police chief.

After the verdict, the defense received an outpouring of support from Canadians who now understand the truth of the case.

The Toronto police chief's comments after the verdict were seen as disagreeing with the not guilty finding, which is concerning.

The chief's comments could potentially harm the image of the Toronto police, as Canadians expect honorable behavior from their police service.

Accountability in this context does not mean a guilty verdict but rather the truth being acknowledged and accepted.

The defense lawyer emphasizes that the case's outcome was due to Mr. Zamir's actual innocence, not just legal strategy.

The lawyer reflects on the significance of the case and its fulfillment, ranking it highly among his career's work.

The lawyer also acknowledges the importance of all clients, whether their cases are high-profile or not.

Transcripts

take us inside the court when that

verdict was read what was the reaction

well there was a lot of tension building

up to that verdict uh everyone was on

the edge of their seat you could hear a

a pin drop in there um and then when the

verdict was read out it was just an

avalanche of emotion uh you could hear

my client sobbing I mean I had tears

welling up in my eyes as did my my

co-counsel Alexander Hine we could hear

U Mr zamir's family sobbing behind us uh

they've been living with this for the

last three years um this has been

something that's occupied their lives

and it was just a a tidal wave of of

relief at that point how do they move on

with their life living in this city in

with the weight of all of this that's a

challenge um that they're going to face

um I mean they're good people and Mr

zamir he's he's got a he's got a good

support system a wonderful family to

support him but I also know that he

continues to feel awful he always has

throughout this process awful for

officer Northrup and the family of

Officer Northrop Omar has never wallowed

in his own self-pity for having to deal

with this always number one the first

thing he mentioned to me when I met him

in that Detention Center nearly three

years ago it wasn't how do you how can

you get me out of here it was how's that

man's poor family doing are they okay

that was the first question he asked of

me and I know he's going to live uh with

that weight on his shoulders for the

rest of his life there are so many

things from a law perspective that we

could spend hours and hours and hours

discussing and I and all of it would be

fascinating but there are some different

approaches that you took here including

a very rare instance of giving your um

your opening immediately after the

Crown's opening which is unusual why did

you take that approach yeah you're

you're right to point out that it's

unusual it's it's also considered a

risky approach um the defense in a

criminal case because the burden's not

on them they don't have to say anything

and so the defense for strategic reasons

is is allowed to uh wait and hear the

prosecution's full case before even

deciding whether to call any evidence of

their own uh or or rather just try to

undermine the prosecution's case through

cross-examination and then close to the

jury and make a make a pitch to The Jury

as to why the crown hasn't proven its

case Beyond Reasonable Doubt in this

case was unusual though it was unusual

because we knew the story we knew the

truth and we knew that was not going to

change no matter what evidence the

prosecution presented we knew what the

truth was and we knew what evidence that

uh Mr zamir would give and what evidence

Miss Shake would give because it's the

same story they told police that very

night when Mr zamir was arrested so our

narrative was not going to change no

matter what the prosecution did and so

we thought it was important for the

jurors for the judge and for Canadians

to hear the truthful narrative sooner

rather than

later just the idea of the narrative is

fascinating to me because from the very

beginning hours and the weeks that

followed there was a very different

narrative that was being presented

publicly um cop killer in short and in

in in some instances it was coming from

very high political office the premier

Doug Ford saying that this was you know

the release of your client on bail was

an example of the system prioritizing

criminals in his words over victims um

the police chief at that time James rmer

said that this was an intentional

deliberate act um the the mayor of

Brampton where Constable Northrup lived

uh Patrick Brown said the decision to

release him was

wrong in the aftermath of this verdict

how do you contextualize those comments

how do you you can't contextualize them

other than to say they many of those

comments were were completely ignorant

comments they were Reckless they were

irresponsible and they came from people

who should know better uh the

presumption of innocence is the one of

the pillars of our criminal justice

system and for politicians to spout off

and and sentence a man and condemn a man

who's Presumed Innocent without knowing

any of the true details of the case it

is reckless it is irresponsible Canadian

deserve and expect more from their

elected officials I'd like to believe

I'd hope that these politicians did not

know the true facts of the case uh when

they spout it off doesn't make their

behavior that much better but I'd like

to believe I'd like to give them that

much benefit of Doubt uh the the police

chief arguably he should have known if

he didn't know he should have known what

the true facts were uh at that point

when he held a press conference saying

this was a deliberate and intentional

Act because the police knew at that time

what had actually happened and they

chose to ignore the truth at a time when

the police had a monopoly on the public

narrative and at that time um we were

receiving hate mail even death threats

for having the audacity to take on this

case um and I don't blame those folks um

the ignorant folks who sent us those

messages I don't blame them because that

hatred had been stoked by elected

officials and by the chief of police

himself now the good news story is that

over the past two months we've been

inundated with messages of support from

people across the country saying we

offer our support we want to help please

tell us if there's a legal defense fund

we want to contribute to it and the

difference between then and now is that

Canadians know the truth let's talk

about now because in the aftermath of

this not guilty verdict there were

remember people who spoke outside the

courthouse yesterday you were one of

them your client Umar zamir was one of

them so was the police chief myON demq

who said that he and many officers on

the Toronto Police Service had hoped for

a different outcome how do you hear

those

comments the the chief of police is

speaking to a particular

constituency um I'd like to believe that

there are many honorable police officers

out there and I'd like to believe that

there are many honorable police officers

who believe that the best way to honor a

fallen com comrade uh Fallen colleague

is is to tell the truth and and not

obfuscate or lie in order uh to to tow

that line um and indeed there were

honorable police officers who even gave

testimony during the course of this

trial the Collision Reconstructionist

for instance he's a good example of an

honorable police officer and who said

that the account of what the three plane

Clos police officers in the garage said

happened that day by his evidence could

not have happened but I want to pick up

about what you said about the police

chief's comments that he was speaking

yesterday to a particular constituency

I'm going to interpret that as police

officers who are on the force right now

on his force that he is the leader of

but he's also the police chief for this

city that's right what does it do for

the image of the Toronto police when the

police police chief comes up and says

essentially I disagree with this not

guilty

finding I I think we as Canadians expect

that the police service and the police

chief will behave honorably I I think

that's what we expect as Canadians and

we want them to and we have a situation

here where there was a a a lengthy trial

the evidence came out um commentators

are nearly unanimous in terms of what

the appropriate outcome is it was a jury

of 12 Canadians who come from different

walks of life they heard the evidence

they deliberated carefully and they

determined that Mr zamir was not guilty

because he's not guilty um it is

somewhat

frustrating and embarrassing that that

we have a chief of police who cannot

accept this reality conable northrup's

Widow spoke outside the court yesterday

and used a word which is a very

interesting one that she came looking

for accountability yeah and when you L

lose a loved one particularly in such

sudden tragic circumstances um he was

run over and that was never never in

doubt and and Umar zamir your client was

the one who ran him over and that was

never in doubt but that word

accountability what can accountability

look like if not a guilty verdict

yeah let me just start off by saying

that I have tremendous Sympathy for the

for um Mrs Northrup and I feel horrible

for what she's been through and um uh I

sympathize with her uh to no end as does

my client and his family um I I can't

imagine right now what's going through

her mind um all all I can say is this I

I also feel bad for her because I think

she been told a particular narrative for

the last 3 years by those within the

police service and perhaps the Police

Association who were supposed to be

looking out for her interests um and

they she's been told a particular

narrative that is not true and she's

been forced to sit through the last

three years um with an impression uh

that something happened that just didn't

happen and so um I she is very much a

victim in all of this and I feel

horribly for her but it would not have

done anyone any good to send an innocent

person to

jail I want to speak about the context

under which you see this in um you have

come to some prominence as a result of

this trial but many within the legal

Community will already have known you

you were named one of the top 25 most

influential lawyers in in the country uh

you've been involved in a number of very

high-profile cas cases you began your

career in New York in corporate law you

were doing pro bono work there and

you've come here and been involved in um

some very high-profile cases all to say

you've had a

career where does this fit in it what

have you

learned well let me just say one thing I

appreciate that that you know you're

you're giving me some props here on the

radio and I appreciate that and I

appreciate the words of support from

people across the country but I want to

make one thing clear Mr zamir was found

not guilty not because of some fancy

lawyering I mean we were there we did

our job myself and my brilliant

colleague Alexander Hine we were there

we did our jobs but he was found not

guilty because he's not guilty not

because of any tricks or fancy lawyering

his lawyers did um but in terms of where

this ranks this ranks up there as as one

of the most fulfilling and important

cases I've done um but I have many

clients whose names will never be in the

news uh and their cases are just as

important to them as this case was to Mr

zamir and as the defense counsel you

need to be mindful of that each and

every time you step into that courtroom

n Hassan thank you very much for your

time today thank you for having me