Latest news with #SpecialInvestigationsUnit
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Crown says Hamilton cop charged with sexual assault ‘vigorously pursued' relationship with colleague
A Crown attorney has asked a judge to find a Hamilton police officer guilty of sexually assaulting his younger colleague more than three years ago. Crown attorney Jason Nicol spent a handful of hours presenting his final submissions to the Burlington courtroom on Tuesday as the months-long trial for Const. Jeffrey Turnbull came to a close. Turnbull is accused of sexually assaulting a colleague in the basement of his Ancaster home in March 2022. The sexual assault charge was announced in June 2023 following a probe by the Special Investigations Unit. Turnbull has pleaded not guilty and remains suspended with pay. His trial began in early January and has sat sporadically ever since. Nicol noted that while Turnbull has been charged with just one count of sexual assault, the complainant alleged multiple incidents of inappropriate touching at the hands of her more senior colleague. Nicol went on to suggest that Justice Jennifer Campitelli could take 'multiple routes' to find Turnbull guilty in the case. Earlier this year, the complainant — whose identity is protected by a publication ban — testified that she and Turnbull met on the job in late 2021, months after she was sworn into the service and still in her probationary period. Turnbull had been with the Hamilton Police Service for more than a decade at the time. The complainant said the two first spoke when she was sitting alone in the lunchroom. Turnbull said he couldn't find her on social media. He told her about his family and asked if she was in a relationship. She said he also talked about her being a female officer, and how there 'would be rumours' about her 'sleeping with other police officers' — conversations that left her feeling 'super uncomfortable.' The complainant said she gave Turnbull her Snapchat information and cellphone number. The complainant said Turnbull would discuss his mental health and marriage, compliment her and make suggestive comments. She also said he sent her photos of his genitalia. An on-the-job spinal injury in January 2022 led the complainant to be put on alternative duties in a separate office. That's where she alleges several incidents involving Turnbull took place in February and March 2022, including partially unzipping her work pants, grabbing her buttocks and trying to kiss her. She said the situation escalated on March 26, 2022. She testified that Turnbull had asked her to come over, but she declined. Later that evening, the complainant said she started getting more messages from Turnbull, including ones about 'killing himself,' so she drove to his house in Ancaster. When the complainant got there, she said, she met his children. And later on, she alleged that Turnbull sexually assaulted her on a couch in the basement of his home — while his children were upstairs and his wife was away. Turnbull previously testified that he and the complainant had engaged in a months-long affair that began with texts and Snapchats about things like food, music and workouts, and later progressed to sexting and the exchange of nude photos. Turnbull later told the court that the affair came to an end in early April 2022, just days after they had consensual sex at his house while his wife was at a yoga retreat. But Nicol painted a much different picture in the courtroom on Tuesday, suggesting that Turnbull 'vigorously pursued' a relationship with the complainant, despite her trying to set boundaries and ask for space. Nicol also once again suggested that Turnbull was 'psychologically manipulative' when it came to his mental health, often using it to coerce the complainant . 'This case is about a more experienced and senior police officer who would not take no for an answer from a younger, very inexperienced female colleague despite her attempts to mollify him and repel his advances,' said Nicol. 'This was not a mutually agreeable relationship.' Nicol also spent parts of his closing submissions responding to those made by defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy earlier in the trial. Mulcahy had previously suggested to the court that there were 'significant concerns' about the reliability of the complainant, pointing to inconsistencies and evasiveness in her testimony. Mulcahy noted that the complainant's testimony didn't match police records , she had issues remembering dates and that she had asked to see her previous statements and testimony while being questioned on the stand. Nicol argued that it was 'unfair and unrealistic' to think the complainant had memorized her prior statements and testimony, as well as conversations with Turnbull, which were also raised by Mulcahy throughout the trial. Nicol said that while the complainant 'did not have perfect recall and her evidence was not without flaws,' she had been 'consistent and clear' throughout the trial when it came to the allegations against Turnbull . 'It has always been clear that she never consented,' said Nicol. '(Turnbull) should be convicted as charged.' Mulcahy replied to those submissions, ending with a suggestion to the judge that it would 'not be safe to convict' her client based on the evidence. A verdict in the case is expected in early October. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Verdict in Hamilton police officer's sexual assault trial expected in October
A Crown attorney has asked a judge to find a Hamilton police officer guilty of sexually assaulting his younger colleague more than three years ago. Crown attorney Jason Nicol spent a handful of hours presenting his final submissions to the Burlington courtroom on Tuesday as the months-long trial for Const. Jeffrey Turnbull came to a close. Turnbull is accused of sexually assaulting a colleague in the basement of his Ancaster home in March 2022. The sexual assault charge was announced in June 2023 following a probe by the Special Investigations Unit. Turnbull has pleaded not guilty and remains suspended with pay. His trial began in early January and has sat sporadically ever since. Nicol noted that while Turnbull has been charged with just one count of sexual assault, the complainant alleged multiple incidents of inappropriate touching at the hands of her more senior colleague. Nicol went on to suggest that Justice Jennifer Campitelli could take 'multiple routes' to find Turnbull guilty in the case. Earlier this year, the complainant — whose identity is protected by a publication ban — testified that she and Turnbull met on the job in late 2021, months after she was sworn into the service and still in her probationary period. Turnbull had been with the Hamilton Police Service for more than a decade at the time. The complainant said the two first spoke when she was sitting alone in the lunchroom. Turnbull said he couldn't find her on social media. He told her about his family and asked if she was in a relationship. She said he also talked about her being a female officer, and how there 'would be rumours' about her 'sleeping with other police officers' — conversations that left her feeling 'super uncomfortable.' The complainant said she gave Turnbull her Snapchat information and cellphone number. The complainant said Turnbull would discuss his mental health and marriage, compliment her and make suggestive comments. She also said he sent her photos of his genitalia. An on-the-job spinal injury in January 2022 led the complainant to be put on alternative duties in a separate office. That's where she alleges several incidents involving Turnbull took place in February and March 2022, including partially unzipping her work pants, grabbing her buttocks and trying to kiss her. She said the situation escalated on March 26, 2022. She testified that Turnbull had asked her to come over, but she declined. Later that evening, the complainant said she started getting more messages from Turnbull, including ones about 'killing himself,' so she drove to his house in Ancaster. When the complainant got there, she said, she met his children. And later on, she alleged that Turnbull sexually assaulted her on a couch in the basement of his home — while his children were upstairs and his wife was away. Turnbull previously testified that he and the complainant had engaged in a months-long affair that began with texts and Snapchats about things like food, music and workouts, and later progressed to sexting and the exchange of nude photos. Turnbull later told the court that the affair came to an end in early April 2022, just days after they had consensual sex at his house while his wife was at a yoga retreat. But Nicol painted a much different picture in the courtroom on Tuesday, suggesting that Turnbull 'vigorously pursued' a relationship with the complainant, despite her trying to set boundaries and ask for space. Nicol also once again suggested that Turnbull was 'psychologically manipulative' when it came to his mental health, often using it to coerce the complainant . 'This case is about a more experienced and senior police officer who would not take no for an answer from a younger, very inexperienced female colleague despite her attempts to mollify him and repel his advances,' said Nicol. 'This was not a mutually agreeable relationship.' Nicol also spent parts of his closing submissions responding to those made by defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy earlier in the trial. Mulcahy had previously suggested to the court that there were 'significant concerns' about the reliability of the complainant, pointing to inconsistencies and evasiveness in her testimony. Mulcahy noted that the complainant's testimony didn't match police records , she had issues remembering dates and that she had asked to see her previous statements and testimony while being questioned on the stand. Nicol argued that it was 'unfair and unrealistic' to think the complainant had memorized her prior statements and testimony, as well as conversations with Turnbull, which were also raised by Mulcahy throughout the trial. Nicol said that while the complainant 'did not have perfect recall and her evidence was not without flaws,' she had been 'consistent and clear' throughout the trial when it came to the allegations against Turnbull . 'It has always been clear that she never consented,' said Nicol. '(Turnbull) should be convicted as charged.' Mulcahy replied to those submissions, ending with a suggestion to the judge that it would 'not be safe to convict' her client based on the evidence. A verdict in the case is expected in early October. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
SIU invokes mandate after car crash in Lakeshore
The logo of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit is pictured in Toronto on Friday, April 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked its mandate after a single-vehicle collision in Lakeshore. On Monday just before 11 p.m., Essex OPP tried to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle that it said failed to stop. Not long later, the vehicle got into a collision on Lakeshore Road 235. The driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further details have been released as the SIU investigates, and the OPP continues investigating the initial traffic stop. Anyone with information surrounding the incident is asked to contact Essex County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
SIU investigating after teen injured in hit-and-run while allegedly running away from the police in Mississauga
A SIU vehicle is seen in this photo. The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has launched an investigation after a 16-year-old boy was injured in a fail-to-remain crash while allegedly fleeing from the police in Mississauga. The incident happened early Sunday morning in the city's Port Credit Area. Ontario's police watchdog says just before 1 a.m. staff at a bar on Lakeshore Boulevard East called authorities after a male allegedly assaulted a staff member then ran away. Officers from Peel Regional Police were dispatched to the area and found the suspect nearby. The civilian agency says he fled onto the roadway at Lakeshore Road East and Helene Street where he was hit by the driver of a vehicle, who then took off. The teen was subsequently arrested and taken to the hospital where he remains in non-life-threatening condition. At this time, three investigators and a forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. The SIU, which is called in to investigate when police are involved in an incident that results in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person, is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
SIU investigating after teen injured in hit-and-run while running away from the police in Mississauga
A SIU vehicle is seen in this photo. The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has launched an investigation after a 16-year-old boy was injured in a fail-to-remain crash while fleeing the police in Mississauga. The incident happened early Sunday morning in the city's Port Credit Area. Ontario's police watchdog says just before 1 a.m. staff at a bar on Lakeshore Boulevard East called authorities after a male allegedly assaulted a staff member then ran away. Officers from Peel Regional Police were dispatched to the area and found the suspect nearby. The civilian agency says he fled onto the roadway at Lakeshore Road East and Helene Street where he was hit by the driver of a vehicle, who then took off. The teen was subsequently arrested and taken to the hospital where he remains in non-life-threatening condition. At this time, three investigators and a forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. The SIU, which is called in to investigate when police are involved in an incident that results in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person, is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at
