A police officer who fatally shot a distraught teenager on an empty Toronto streetcar in 2013 has won full parole.
The only restriction on James Forcillo is that he have no contact with the victim's relatives.
Forcillo, 37, was convicted in 2016 of attempted murder in the shooting of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim, and jailed for 61/2 years.
In its decision, the Parole Board of Canada says Forcillo is a low risk for reoffending.
"You remain assessed as a low risk to reoffend and your motivation level, accountability and reintegration potential are assessed as high." The board says in their ruling, "You have provided a viable plan for full parole, have strong community and family support, have been actively engaged in your correctional plan, and have transitioned well to the community. As a result, the Board assesses your risk as manageable. It says he has been reintegrating appropriately into society via previously granted day parole. He's been living in a half-way house since last August."
The two-member panel at th parole board, also says he understands the trauma he inflicted on Yatim's family.
"With the benefit of counselling, you now understand that your own fear, impulsivity, and stress contributed to your poor decision-making, poor problemsolving, and resulted in fatal consequences. As a result, you are now more cautious of the impact of your decisions and are better able to consider the consequences of your actions."
Forcillo is enrolled full-time in a college program, and hopes to graduate as an electrician.
He's also engaged to be married again, after his first marriage broke off in divorce shortly after his conviction.
(with files from Canadian Press)