Assault of Dafonte Miller

Assault of Dafonte Miller
DateDecember 28, 2016
Time2:30–3:30 a.m.
LocationWhitby, Ontario, Canada
ParticipantsDafonte Miller, Christian Theriault, Michael Theriault
Outcome
  • Charges dropped against Dafonte Miller
  • Christian Theriault found not guilty
  • Michael Theriault convicted of assault
Non-fatal injuriesDafonte Miller blinded in one eye
SentenceNine months in prison, 12 months' probation, and five-year weapons prohibition for Michael Theriault

Dafonte Miller is a 19 year old[1] man who was assaulted on December 28, 2016 in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, a city located approximately 20 km (12 mi) from Toronto, by Michael Theriault, an off-duty constable of the Toronto Police Service. Michael's brother Christian was also present. Miller is black; the Theriaults are white.[2] On June 26, 2020, Michael Theriault was convicted of assault in connection with the incident.[3] On November 5, 2020, Theriault was sentenced to nine months in prison with 12 months probation following, along with a five-year weapons prohibition.[4][5] The case received significant media attention in Canada.

  1. ^ "Toronto police officer charged after man, 19, beaten and blinded in left eye". cbc.ca. July 18, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Theriault at para 1.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Toronto cop Michael Theriault will be sentenced in Dafonte Miller beating Thursday morning". thestar.com. November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  5. ^ "Toronto police officer convicted of assaulting Dafonte Miller sentenced to nine months in prison". Retrieved November 5, 2020.