In the court of law, you can't always believe what you see. That was the point defence attorney Harry Black convinced a jury of in court Friday as he succeeded in having charges against his client, a Toronto cop, dropped.
The attorney's feat is all the more remarkable considering the crime Const. Amar Katoch was accused of --- punching a university professor during an anti-poverty protest --- was caught on tape.
"The video really doesn't show what you think it shows," Black said.
The jury believed him and Katoch was acquitted of assault, obstruct justice and perjury.
On the videotape, the officer can be seen punching university professor Alex Levant at a protest in 2003.
Initially it was Levant who was charged with punching constable Katosh and assaulting a female officer. But at that trial, Levant's lawyer surprised officer Katosh with the video clearly showing that his client was innocent.
Lavant's charges were dropped and the officer was subsequently charged.
That's where Black comes into play. He convinced the jury that his client suffers from a disability that causes a sensation of pressure if he moves his arm a certain way. According to the attorney, that's what made him feel like he was punched in the chest, and that's the reason he punched back.