SIU lays murder charge against officer

On February 23, 2012, the Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Director announced, through a media release, that he would be laying charges of second degree murder against Toronto Police constable David Cavanagh in relation to the death of Mr. Eric Osawe in September 2010:

SIU Director lays second degree murder charges

This is a dramatic development in the case, which originally saw manslaughter charges laid against this officer. Constable Cavanagh was part of a combined Emergency Task Force (ETF) and Guns & Gangs Unit execution of a search warrant on premises in Etobicoke.

The matter will serve to heighten already existing tensions between Ontario police and the current Director of the SIU, Mr. Ian Scott.