CANTON, OH, November 4, 2024—“That dozens of police officers felt the need to attend today’s bond hearing is troubling. A small group of Frank’s family and friends sat in the front row and the remainder of the courtroom was filled primarily with police officers. It was a disturbing display of force. Today’s proceedings look like two members of an occupying military force were being prosecuted. Someone has to ask how much it cost the City of Canton to have those officers in uniform watching a bond hearing that the defendants did not even attend. The Tyson family will not be intimidated,” said Bobby DiCello, attorney for the family of Frank Tyson.
Frank E. Tyson, a 53-year-old East Canton, Ohio resident, died on April 18, 2024, after being handcuffed and restrained with a knee to his upper back/neck by police while crying out, “I can’t breathe.” On November 1, 2024, two Canton police officers were charged with reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, in Frank’s death. On November 4, 2024, Judge Taryn L. Heath set a bond of $25,000 for the two officers, who waived their right to appear during the hearing. Their arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 8 at Stark County Courthouse.
If convicted, a reckless homicide charge could carry a three-year sentence and $10,000 fine for each defendant.
About Bobby DiCello
Bobby DiCello, a nationally renowned trial lawyer who has earned multimillion-dollar verdicts, devotes himself to gaining justice for people whose lives have been destroyed by the powerful and the reckless. A former prosecutor, Bobby champions systemic change and is a pioneer in trial science. His accomplishments in the courtroom have been recognized by outlets such as ABC News, for whom he provided ongoing, real-time analysis on the landmark civil rights trial in its series “The Death of George Floyd: Derek Chauvin on Trial.” Public Justice, a national legal advocacy organization, recognized Bobby with its prestigious Trial Lawyers of the Year award for his work on the landmark Black v. Hicks case. Mr. Arnold Black was a victim of appalling brutality and corruption in the City of East Cleveland, Ohio. Bobby tried Black’s case to a jury that awarded a record $50 million—a verdict sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court.
About DiCello Levitt
At DiCello Levitt, we’re dedicated to achieving justice for our clients through class action, civil and human rights, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, personal injury, and mass tort litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases—whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise—for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens’ rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations—and our capital—on the line for our clients.
DiCello Levitt has achieved top recognition as 2024 Civil Rights Firm of the Year, 2023 Plaintiffs Firm of the Year and 2023 Trial Innovation Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal, in addition to its top-tier Chambers and Benchmark ratings. For more information about the firm, including recent trial victories and case resolutions, please visit www.dicellolevitt.com.
Media Contact Caitlin Whitehurst, Director of Communications, [email protected], 513-582-3532