A new video has been released showing what appears to be an interaction between Toronto police and Regis Korczynski-Packet moments before she fell from a balcony two years ago.
The video was shared by Jason E. Bogle, a lawyer representing Korczynski-Paket’s family, on Wednesday afternoon during a press conference announcing a $ 10 million civil case over her death.
In a lawsuit filed Monday, the Ontario Attorney General’s Office of Toronto, the Toronto Housing Association, the director of the Special Investigations Department (SIU), Joseph Martino, and five Toronto police officers who responded to the incident were named as defendants. .
Korczynski-Paket died after falling from a balcony on May 27, 2020, while in the presence of Toronto police officers who were called to her apartment on High Park Avenue from Korczynski-Paket, her mother and brother, who all made 911 calls after a family dispute.
The SIU, which investigates incidents involving police leading to death, serious injuries, allegations of sexual assault or the firing of firearms, has found no reason to blame those responsible. It says that despite the first allegations that she was pushed, Korczynski-Paket was alone on the balcony when she fell.
“We have filed a lawsuit alleging that the report made by Joseph Martino is terribly inaccurate with regard to the facts that the family remembers happened that day,” Bogle said. “Furthermore, our position is that the reported facts of that day do not correspond to the video footage of Officer Weddell’s aggressive behavior against Ms. Korczynski-Paket, minutes before her death.”
The video, which he released during the press conference, began with the arrival of an officer whom Bogle identified as Officer Weddell, on the 24th floor of the building where Korczynski-Paket’s residence was located.
In the video, Weddell is seen with a firearm that appears to be a rifle. He is then seen carrying it in a holster over his back as he walks towards the unit.
This image shows a video of observation of the moments that led to the death of Regis Korczynski-Paket. (Jason E. Bogle)
Bogle said that before Weddell and another officer arrived, three police officers who had already responded had announced on the radio that there were no safety issues.
Wedel was then allegedly involved in “offensive behavior” when he reached the ward, grabbing Korczynski-Paket and pulling her to the ground, Bogle said.
A little later, Korczynski-Paket was again allowed to enter its part. Three officers, including Weddell, also entered her apartment, Bogle said, noting that police were inside for about a minute.
The video jumps to that when officers are seen walking away from the unit. Bogle pointed out that Weddell’s firearm was no longer in the same position as before, adding that according to police notes, Weddell had shot it down while he was in Korczynski-Paket’s unit.
This image shows video surveillance of the moments after the death of Regis Korczynski-Pake. (Jason E. Bogle)
“So, in essence, our position is that the information that was excluded from Mr Martino’s report was extremely inaccurate and misleading and did not provide a reasonable explanation of how and why Ms Korczynski-Pake ended up on the balcony in this regard. time, “said Bogle. In the statement of claim, he states that the presence of Wedel’s weapon and the failure of the officers’ de-escalation tactics contributed to her death.
Bogle also accused Wedel and other officials of plotting to “create an inaccurate story” to deceive the family and the public.
Bogle added that the SIU report also did not match the information he received from a civilian who had not been questioned by police.
He claims that the civilian was in a video conversation with Korczynski-Paket for 20 seconds shortly after she and the staff returned to the apartment.
“The witness noted that the telephone call had been terminated and that her additional attempts to reconnect had been terminated on Ms Korczynski-Paket’s mobile phone. “All attempts to reconnect the call and find the phone have virtually failed,” Bogle said.
He added that her phone was not secured as part of an SIU investigation.
In a statement to CP24, an SIU spokesman confirmed that he had received notification of the action.
“The unit has no comment on issues before the court, except to say that it stands for the integrity of its investigation,” the spokesman said.
Regis Korczynski-Pake can be seen in this undated photo. (Source: Facebook)
REQUESTS FOR BALCONY FENCING IGNORED
The family is suing the city and TCHC for allegedly failing to erect a fence on Korczynski-Paket’s balcony despite several demands.
Bogle said Korczynski-Paket and her mother had asked the TCHC over the years to install a safety fence, but those demands “remained unsatisfied and ignored.”
“The city of Toronto has a long history and the understanding of TCHC has been abandoned in their responsibilities in terms of responding to residents’ demands to maintain their properties,” Bogle added.
A city spokesman said they would not comment on the issue, but would respond in court.
A public memorial and a walk for justice were held in honor of Regis Korczynski-Package, who fell to his death from a balcony while police were in her Toronto apartment on Saturday, July 25, 2020. CANADIAN PRESS / Carlos Osorio
JUDICIAL CONSIDERATION OF THE OIRPD
Bogle said he also applied for judicial review of the decision of the Office of the Independent Director of Police Review (OIPRD) not to bring any charges against Toronto police.
The OIRPD is a civilian agency that handles all public complaints against the police in the province.
The family filed a complaint with the OIRPD in November 2020, and the agency published its findings in September 2021.
Bogle said the OIRPD’s findings “fall below their standards.” He noted that judicial review is scheduled for October.
“Our court review and statement of claim will seek to reveal additional information about what happened to Regis the other day, what happened to Ms. Korczynski-Packet’s cell phone, and why these members of the Toronto Police Department failed Ms. Kaczynski Package on May 27, 2020, “he said.
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