2 Ohio police officers charged after death of black man pleading ‘I can’t breathe’

Two police officers in Canton, Ohio, have been indicted by a grand jury on reckless homicide 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 Beau Schoenegge, both 24, were booked into the Stark County Jail on Friday, Nov. 1. WKYC And wow Report citing prison records.

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

The indictments come nearly six months after 53-year-old East Canton, Ohio resident Frank E. Tyson died in police custody on April 18. Press release From Bobby DiCello, the attorney representing the Tyson family.

DiCello said Tyson was handcuffed by police and pressed his knee into his upper back and neck, all the while pleading, “I can’t breathe.”

Canton police had previously said that the incident occurred after Tyson fled the scene of the accident. CNN reported. Police body camera footage obtained at the exit shows officers forcing Tyson to the ground and handcuffing him with his hands behind his back.

Despite his pleas, Tyson lay motionless on the ground for an extended period of time before officers checked his pulse and began CPR. According to media reports, Tyson was declared dead in the hospital.

After the autopsy was completed, the Stark County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Tyson’s death was a homicide, WOIO reported. Contributing causes included acute intoxication from cocaine and alcohol and cardiopulmonary arrest, according to the outlet.

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

PEOPLE reached out to the Canton Police Department for additional comment but did not hear back in time for publication.

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

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“Achieving an outcome like this is incredibly rare. It takes strength, courage and a community to defend oneself. We will not stop fighting for Frank and his family as we relentlessly pursue justice,” DiCello added.

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

The officers, who are being held on $25,000 bond, are expected to appear in court on Friday, Nov. 8, WKYC reported. PEOPLE were not immediately able to identify lawyers who could speak on their behalf.

Following the accusations, Frank’s brother, John Tyson, said at the press conference, per DiCello’s statement: “This wasn’t the win we were looking for, but we’re going to take this little win and build on it.”

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