Two Canton officers to go on trial in connection with Frank Tyson’s death

Tyson’s family members, as well as other Canton police officers, were in the courtroom for Monday’s hearing.

Shenegge and Burch were charged with reckless homicide and have been in the Stark County Jail since Nov. 1.

The Tyson family’s attorney, Bobby DiCello, said at Monday’s hearing that he would leave the bond issue up to the court, but asked that the presence of more than 50 officers in court not affect her decision.

If convicted of the felony charge, the officers face up to 36 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, and the loss of their jobs.

Tyson, 53, died in police custody on April 18 after fleeing a hit-and-run in Canton.

Tyson ran into a nearby AMVETS club in the 1700 block of Sherrick Road SE and asked someone to call the sheriff, according to the Stark County District Attorney.

Instead, Canton police were called to the scene, and when they arrived, a fight broke out inside the club.

After Tyson was knocked to the ground and placed on his stomach in handcuffs, he told officers he couldn’t breathe.

Tyson can be heard on a police body camera telling officers at least seven times in one minute that he can’t breathe, his family said.

At the time, the Canton policeman had a knee on his back.

Tyson was taken to a local hospital where he died, still handcuffed.

The Stark County Coroner’s Office ruled Tyson’s death a homicide, with causes including acute cocaine and alcohol intoxication and cardiac arrest.

In a press release, an attorney for Tyson’s family shared his reaction to the decision to indict Shenegge and Burch, saying they “breathed a sigh of relief.”

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