Court hears testimony from retired Winnipeg police officer in Sean Cassidy trial
A retired Winnipeg police officer testified in the trial of a former fellow officer accused of allegedly altering information in a police database to avoid a speeding ticket.
Patrol Sgt. Sean Cassidy has pleaded not guilty to charges of unauthorized use of a computer, fraud and obstruction of justice.
On Thursday, Provincial Judge Cindy Sholdice heard testimony from Raymond Howes—a retired constable who had worked under Cassidy in the photo enforcement unit in 2019.
Howes said he and Cassidy had a shared duty of adding designated licence plate numbers to the covert special plates list—a list of Winnipeg police emergency and undercover vehicles exempt from red light and photo radar.
'WHAT WERE YOU THINKING': FORMER OFFICER GIVES TESTIMONY OF CONVERSATION WITH CASSIDY
He said on Oct. 1, 2019, the president of Traffic Safe Solutions—the subcontractor that operates the photo radar vehicles—asked to speak with him.
"(He) just relayed information to me that led me to believe that one of the officers in our unit may have attempted to circumvent the issuance of a photo radar ticket," Howes told the court, adding he asked for a report from the operator.
Shortly after, Howes said he spoke with Cassidy in his office where he said Cassidy asked if this was about the incident that happened that morning.
"Before being able to acknowledge, he indicated 'it was me' or something to that effect," Howes told the court.
"In disbelief over what had transpired, I just asked—what were you thinking? And his response was something along the lines that he believed that technically the vehicle that he was driving when this incident occurred was an emergency vehicle."
Howes said the next day he was given a document showing Cassidy's user account had entered his licence plate into the system.
"Are you allowed to place your personal vehicle on the covert plate list?" Crown prosecutor Brett Rach asked.
"No," Howes responded.
Patrol Sgt. Evan Murray, who is currently in the photo enforcement unit, told the court official policies regarding the special plates list were released in May 2020.
He said the policies specify personal vehicles are not authorized to be on the list, and any additions must be approved by the commander of the traffic division.
DEFENCE QUESTIONS WITNESS' RECOLLECTION
In cross-examination, defence counsel Lisa LaBossiere questioned Howes' recollection of his interactions with Cassidy.
"Sometimes sort of inadvertent memory mistakes are made," LaBossiere said.
"I might agree with you, however, if I am able to continue on that point—this is not something that as a police officer in 26 years I have ever had to be faced with dealing with an incident like this," Howes responded.
"So most certainly it is something that I didn't take lightly—the decision to act on it and the decision to follow through on it."
He told the court after learning of the data entry—he went home sick.
"It wasn't physical sickness. It was more or less mental sickness," he testified. "I was kind of in shock as to what I had learned had occurred."
Howes testified the next day he was told Cassidy would not be returning to his duties.
Stuart Wilson, an Edmonton-based IT manager for Conduent—a contracted company running the city's photo enforcement program—said in October 2019, he had been asked by Ryan Oswald, director of operations for Conduent, to search for a specific plate that a citation was not issued to.
He said the plate had been added to the system by Cassidy's user account on the same day the ticket had been issued.
"I provided the information back to Ryan Oswald and they made the decision to issue that ticket," Wilson said.
Court heard previously that Cassidy was issued a $259 ticket for speeding in a school zone.
Closing arguments are expected to begin on Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.