Under cross-examination, police use-of-force expert Michael Massine has softened his criticism of one of the officers involved in the beating of Myles Gray.

Massine’s report on the events leading up to Gray’s death in 2015 was critical of the actions taken by seven Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers. In addition, the expert previously testified that the officers had missed opportunities to de-escalate the situation.

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Gray had sustained injuries at the hands of police that included a fractured eye socket, a crushed voice box, and ruptured testicles.

The hearing reviewed police radio recordings from the day of the incident. Officers can be heard speaking with Gray before the situation suddenly escalates, including a loud scream believed to be Gray’s.

Lawyers pointed to Gray’s physical cues and referred to statements from the officers, who described Gray as “giving all the signs of a perceived threat.”

Counsel pointed to Gray’s aggressive behaviours, such as clenching his fists, having a “1,000-yard stare,” and charging at one of the officers “like a raging bull.”

Cross-examination also focused on the initial interaction between Gray and Const. Hardeep Sahota, the first VPD officer to have an interaction with Gray before he died.

In his report, Massine wrote that Sahota and the other officers did not use proper Crisis Intervention and De-escalation (CID) techniques. But under questioning from Sahota’s lawyer, Brad Keelman, Massine acknowledged part of that conclusion was incorrect.

When asked if the evidence presented regarding Sahota’s initial de-escalation process was in line with CID protocol, Massine said “yes.”

The seven VPD officers involved in Gray’s death have until March 20 to decide whether they will testify at this public hearing.