COP NIXES RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL

A Toronto cop accused of being in an armed robbery ring appeared in court
yesterday and along with his seven co- accused waived his right to have a
jury trial.

Det.-Const. Darin Cooper, 31, and the others elected to be tried by a judge
alone. They will be back in court next Wednesday to begin the trial
although speculation is a plea bargain may be in the offing.

Cooper, a 10-year veteran of the Toronto Police, faces at least 17 charges.

At the time of his arrest a year ago, it was alleged Cooper used police
information and a police gun, badge and armour in a series of robberies of
drug dealers by a gang.

Court documents showed the gang's alleged criminal activity began to
escalate in February 2000 when the accused allegedly started collecting and
selling the drug Ecstasy.

DVP SHOOTING

Cooper was also charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

There's speculation those charges allegedly involve a shooting on the DVP
that riddled an SUV with bullets.

The eight accused men have yet to enter a plea.

A publication ban prohibits reporting much of what was said in court.

There was unusually heavy security. York Regional Police officers were
guarding the courtroom along with Toronto Police, and a slew of court
officers handled security.

Five of the men are in custody. Cooper and two others are not.

Also charged are Bobby Manchev, 32, Elie Salama, 25, Peter Maroulis, 30,
Nick Koulias, 30, Mike Wassilyn, 28, Kristofer Della-Pia, 23, Carl Ifill
Jones, and Billy Mustakinovski.

They face charges including armed robbery, conspiracy, impersonation,
breach of trust, possession of controlled substances, restricted
weapons and proceeds of crime.