TORONTO, July 28 (Reuters) - A Toronto policeman was sentenced to six years in prison on Thursday in the shooting death of a teenager three years ago that led to a rare conviction in Canada, where activists say police too often get off easy in brutality cases.
The 2013 shooting, which occurred after an altercation on a streetcar with the teen, who was brandishing a knife, was caught on video and led to widespread protests in Toronto.
James Forcillo was found guilty of attempted murder in January for firing additional shots at the teenager, whom he had already shot three times. He was acquitted of second-degree murder on a determination that the initial shots he fired were justified, but the second volley was not.
Forcillo's sentencing in the case comes days after the death of a mentally ill black man after his arrest by police in Ottawa.
The deaths echo similar events in the United States, where allegations of police brutality and racial bias have sparked protests. Some confrontations in the United States were also caught on video.
Last year, a Toronto police officer shot and killed Andrew Loku, a 45-year-old Sudanese immigrant with a history of mental illness. No charges were filed.
Crown prosecutors had sought an eight to 10 year sentence for Forcillo, while defense lawyers argued for two years of house arrest.
Forcillo can appeal the sentence. (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Dan Grebler)
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