Additional Coverage:
- Two Ohio officers charged with reckless homicide in death of Black man who pleaded, ‘I can’t breathe’ (nbcnews.com)
Two Canton, Ohio police officers, Camden Burch and Beau Schoenegge, have been charged with reckless homicide in the death of Frank E. Tyson. Tyson, a Black man, died in police custody on April 18 after pleading “I can’t breathe.”
The charges stem from an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and were approved by a grand jury. If convicted, Burch and Schoenegge could face up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine each.
Body camera footage released by the Canton Police Department shows Tyson being taken to the ground and handcuffed by the officers. Tyson repeatedly says “I can’t breathe” while an officer appears to put a knee on his upper body for about 30 seconds.
The preliminary autopsy report lists Tyson’s cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest related to physical altercation and prone restraint, as well as cocaine and alcohol intoxication.
The charges have been met with mixed reactions. The Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council has accused prosecutors of using the case for political gain. Tyson’s family and their attorney have welcomed the charges as a step towards justice.