Constable James Forcillo made his first appearance in Toronto's Old City Hall courthouse this morning, where a judge placed a publication ban on the case and remanded Forcillo to custody pending bail. Mike McCormack, president of the Police Union, declined to comment except to say that Forcillo was in shock. Forcillo's attorney also declined to comment.

Forcillo is charged with second-degree murder in the July 27 shooting death of Sammy Yatim. He was caught on video firing three shots at Yatim, who stood on an empty streetcar holding a small knife and taunting officers. Forcillo fired six more times at Yatim as he lay on the floor of the streetcar; Yatim was also tasered by a supervisor. Lawyers are callng this a landmark case - the first in Ontario where there has been such clear video evidence implicating a police officer in a murder case.

Forcillo was granted bail to the tune of $510,000; he was also required to surrender his passport and firearms liscence; unusual steps for a police officer in the courts. He must also abide by a curfew unless accompanied by one of his 4 sureties and report to the SIU weekly. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on September 30.

A publication ban prevents reporting on any of the evidence presented or aguments made in court.