Judge Molloy Faces Backlash Over Zameer Trial Conclusions
Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy, renowned for her integrity on the bench, is under fire following a new OPP report that challenges her findings in the high-profile Umar Zameer murder trial. In 2024, Justice Molloy presided over the case involving the death of Detective Constable Jeffrey Northrup, concluding that three undercover officers—Lisa Forbes, Scharnil Pais, and Antonio Correa—colluded and lied under oath about the incident.
Contradictory Evidence Emerges
The trial centered on the tragic events of July 2, 2021, when Northrup was struck and killed in an underground garage near Toronto City Hall. Zameer, an accountant with his family in the car, testified he panicked, believing they were ambushed by criminals. Justice Molloy accepted expert evidence from Toronto Police Sgt. Jeff Bassingthwaite and a defense reconstructionist, which indicated Northrup was hit by a glancing blow from the side of the BMW, not intentionally run over as the officers claimed.
This led to Zameer's acquittal, with Justice Molloy offering him a heartfelt apology. She harshly criticized the officers, stating they reached an inexorable conclusion of collusion and perjury. However, a recent OPP report, ordered by Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and released in March 2026, has turned the tables.
OPP Report Clears Officers of Wrongdoing
The 55-page OPP review exonerates the three officers, finding no evidence of perjury or collusion. It concludes that Northrup was standing in front of the BMW when struck, contradicting earlier expert testimonies. The report cites new findings, such as contact marks on the front bumper and tire marks previously overlooked, suggesting the collision was not a chance encounter but involved at least 76 seconds of interaction.
This has sparked outrage from the Toronto Police Association, with president Clayton Campbell demanding an apology from Justice Molloy. Chief Demkiw emotionally declared his officers vindicated after two years of turmoil. Yet, Justice Molloy remains steadfast, arguing her conclusions were based on the evidence presented in court, not on a report that emerged nearly two years post-trial.
Debate Over Police Accountability and Judicial Integrity
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between police agencies and the judiciary. Critics question the independence of the OPP review, noting it was conducted by one police force investigating another and has not been fully released or tested in court. Justice Molloy's supporters argue that her decision was fair and grounded in the trial's expert analyses, which included both Crown and defense reconstructions.
As the debate intensifies, the case underscores the challenges in balancing police accountability with judicial oversight. Justice Molloy's reputation for calling situations as she sees them remains intact, but the OPP report adds a new layer of complexity to this already tragic story.
