Two Ohio officers charged in death of black man who admitted ‘I can’t breathe’

Two police officers in Canton, Ohio, have been indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter charges in the death of a black man who died in April after being restrained by police and telling officers he couldn’t breathe, authorities said.

Officers Camden Burch and Bo Schenigge, both 24, were booked into the Stark County Jail on Friday, Nov. 1, local outlets WKYC and WOIO report, citing prison records.

Stark County Prosecutor Kyle L. Stone announced the charges at a Nov. 2 news conference, saying he presented the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s findings in Tyson’s death to a grand jury last week.

The charges come about six months after Frank E. Tyson, 53, of East Canton, Ohio, died in police custody on April 18. press release from attorney Bobby DiCello, who represents the Tyson family.

DiCello said the officers handcuffed Tyson and restrained him with a knee to his upper back and neck, pleading, “I can’t breathe,” according to the release.

The incident occurred after Tyson fled the scene of the crash, Canton police said earlier. This is reported by CNN. Police body camera footage obtained by the newspaper shows officers forcing Tyson to the ground and handcuffing him with his hands behind his back.

Despite his pleas, Tyson remained pinned to the ground, motionless, for an extended period before officers checked his pulse and began CPR. Tyson died in the hospital, the publication reports.

After completing an autopsy, the Stark County Coroner ruled Tyson’s death a homicide, according to WOIO. Contributing causes included acute cocaine and alcohol poisoning and cardiopulmonary arrest, according to the outlet.

“I want to express my deepest condolences to those close to Mr. Tyson,” Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said at the time, according to CNN. According to the publication, the two officers were initially placed on administrative leave, but their current employment status is unknown.

PEOPLE reached out to the Canton Police Department for further comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

DiCello said in a release, “We recognize that this is just one step toward justice for Frank and his family in this long and very difficult journey.”

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“It is incredibly rare to achieve such a result. Standing up for yourself takes strength, courage, and community. We will not stop fighting for Frank and his family, relentlessly advocating for justice,” Dicello added.

According to WOIO, Birch and Schoenegge could face up to 36 months in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of the third-degree felony.

The officers, who are being held on $25,000 bond, are expected to be arraigned on Friday, Nov. 8, WKYC reports. PEOPLE could not immediately identify attorneys who could represent them.

Following the allegations, Frank’s brother John Tyson said at a press conference, according to DiCello’s release, “It’s not the win we were hoping for, but we’re going to take this small win and build on it.”

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