A Toronto police officer accused of stealing items from deceased individuals was cross-examined in court on Tuesday.
Constable Kyle Upjohn, who has been with the Toronto Police Service for 10 years, is facing multiple charges including theft, possession of stolen property, and breach of trust.
During the cross-examination, Upjohn was questioned about his actions on the night of October 7, 2018, when he responded to a call about a deceased person in an apartment building.
The Crown prosecutor presented evidence that Upjohn had taken a wallet, cash, and a watch from the deceased individual’s room. Upjohn admitted to taking the items but claimed he did so in order to secure them as evidence.
However, the Crown argued that Upjohn had no reason to take the items as evidence since there was no indication of foul play or any ongoing investigation.
Upjohn also admitted to taking a pair of sunglasses from another deceased individual’s room on a separate occasion. He claimed he did so because he thought the sunglasses were “cool” and did not think it was a crime.
The Crown prosecutor questioned Upjohn’s credibility, pointing out that he had not reported the items he took from the deceased individuals in his police report.
Upjohn maintained that he did not intend to steal the items and that he was simply careless in not reporting them.
The defence argued that Upjohn’s actions were not criminal and that he had no intention of stealing from the deceased individuals.
The trial is ongoing and Upjohn’s fate will be determined by the judge. If found guilty, he could face serious consequences, including losing his job as a police officer.
This case has raised concerns about the integrity and trustworthiness of police officers and the need for stricter protocols to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The cross-examination of Constable Kyle Upjohn has shed light on the seriousness of the charges against him and the impact it could have on the public’s perception of law enforcement. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have significant implications for both the accused and the Toronto Police Service as a whole.
