Man accused of killing Toronto cop pleads not guilty to 1st-degree murder

A man accused of killing a Toronto police officer nearly three years ago has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Umar Zameer is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Const. Jeffrey Northrup. Zameer entered his plea as jury selection began in his trial Monday morning.

Northrup, 55, died in hospital on July 2, 2021 after being struck by a vehicle as he was responding to a report of a robbery in a parking lot at Toronto City Hall. Investigators have previously called it an "intentional and deliberate act."

Another plainclothes officer was also injured.

Zameer's defence lawyer made a brief statement outside the courthouse Monday afternoon, urging the public to let go of any preconceived notions they may have about the case.

"When I addressed the public nearly three years ago about this case, I simply asked ... to keep an open mind about this case because there's so much more to it than the inaccurate and sensational snippets that emerged in the media. I promised that in due time the truth will emerge," Nader Hasan said.

"We are hopeful that this trial will be that time."

Northrup, who lived in Brampton, was a 31-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service. Northrup left behind his wife, three children and mother.

Zameer was granted bail in the fall of 2021, but the reasons for the decision and evidence presented in court are covered by a standard publication ban. 

An Ontario judge has previously denied the request to partially lift the ban, saying lifting it prior to his trial "is likely to do more harm than good to the fairness and integrity of the trial process."

Jury selection is set to continue Tuesday morning. The trial is expected to last five weeks.