An Ontario judge is deliberating whether Windsor police officer Sgt. Deler Bal acted in self-defence or warrants conviction after striking a man in an Ottawa bar bathroom. Sgt. Bal, 51, faces three charges—two counts of assault and one of aggravated assault—and has pleaded not guilty.
The incident occurred on Sept. 23, 2023, at Prohibition Public House, where an off-duty Bal entered a men’s bathroom and mistakenly tried to open an occupied stall. Following an exchange, Bal claims he felt threatened when Donald Conner, 45, stood close to him, prompting physical self-defence.
Surveillance footage captured parts of the altercation, showing Bal punching Conner in the hallway after the fight spilled out of the bathroom. Conner sustained a fractured sinus wall and a concussion, while Bal presented injuries to his neck and back.
The Crown argued Bal’s police training should have enabled de-escalation, disputing the claim of a legitimate threat. The defence maintains Bal acted out of fear for his safety.
Justice Juliana Martel will announce the decision on Feb. 20.
Source: Swifteradio.com
