The family of a teen charged with first-degree murder in the death of a police officer who was crushed under a minivan is expressing sorrow at the death, its lawyer said Friday.
In addition, lawyer David Berg said the 15-year-old boy appears to have lost the use of his arms and legs due to injuries from the incident that fatally injured York region Constable Garrett Styles.
"The family of the young person have asked me to convey ... (that) they are deeply saddened by the death of Constable Styles," Mr. Berg said in a statement.
The teen, who remains in hospital, faces a first-degree murder charge in the June 28 death of the officer.
Styles, a married father of two young children, died after being pinned under a minivan which police say the youth was driving.
Police say the officer stopped the van on a rural road east of Newmarket, Ont., then it pulled away, dragging him 300 metres before overturning and trapping Constable Styles underneath.
Mr. Berg said he had visited the accused, who cannot be identified because of his age, in hospital in Toronto twice this week.
"I have not received an official medical report from the hospital as to his injuries," the lawyer said.
"(But) I have observed that, at present, he does not have the use of his limbs."
The family's expression of sorrow is its first public reaction to the tragic chain of events.
A Facebook profile picture of the boy, a self-portrait taken in a mirror, shows him neatly dressed in a plaid shirt and standing behind a small Canadian flag.
The lawyer also said in his statement that the teen was unable to speak at an audio remand on Thursday because of tubes in his throat.
Mr. Berg said he would have no further comment on the case.
Constable Styles' funeral in Newmarket this week drew thousands of uniformed officers and members of the public.
At Thursday's remand hearing, the Crown served notice that it would seek an adult sentence if the teen is eventually convicted.
The case was put over until Sept. 15 for another telephone remand.
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The following is the full text of the statement made by Mr. Berg on behalf of the teen's family:
"The family of the Young Person have asked me to convey to you that they are deeply saddened by the death of Constable Styles.
"I have been to see my client twice this week. I have observed that at present, he does not have the use of his limbs. I have not received an official medical report from the hospital as to his injuries.
"My client could not speak during the telephone remand yesterday due to the fact that he had been intubated."