Two Canton police officers are set to face trial in the 2024 death of Canton Township resident Frank Tyson.
The trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 10 in Stark County Common Pleas Court. Here’s a timeline of significant events in the case:
April 18, 2024: Tyson’s death
Tyson, a 53-year-old Black man, dies while in the custody of Canton police officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch inside the AMVETS building at 1822 Sherrick Road SE in Canton.
April 19, 2024: Investigation given to Ohio BCI
Canton police turn over the investigation to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Schoenegge and Burch are placed on paid administrative leave.
April 25, 2024: Footage released
Canton police release body camera footage of Tyson’s arrest and death, sparking nationwide outcry. His last words are “I can’t breathe.”
April 29, 2024: Communal outcry
The Stark County NAACP and Greater Stark County Urban League host the “Social Justice Community Conversation” forum in response to Tyson’s death at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Canton.
May 2, 2024: Crump joins the case
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump ‒ dubbed “Black America’s attorney general” by the Rev. Al Sharpton ‒ joins the legal team representing Tyson’s family.
May 8, 2024: Tyson’s funeral
Tyson’s funeral is held at Hear The Word Ministries church in Canton. Several civil rights activists pay their respects, including Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy.
May 10, 2024: NAACP seeks federal probe
The national NAACP sends a letter to Kristen Clark, assistant U.S. attorney general for civil rights, asking for a federal investigation into Tyson’s death.
May 20, 2024: National Action Network comes to Canton
The National Action Network ‒ the civil rights organization founded by Sharpton ‒ opens a chapter in the Canton area to serve Stark and Summit counties.
July 2024: Officers back on the job
Canton police announce the arresting officers are now on restricted assignment.
Aug. 9, 2024: Autopsy report released
Tyson’s death is ruled a homicide in Stark County Coroner’s Office’s preliminary autopsy report. The report notes several other contributing causes, including acute intoxication by cocaine and alcohol, and cardiopulmonary arrest.
Aug. 13, 2024: Activist calls on Stark prosecutor
Monique Conner, the interim president of the National Action Network chapter serving Stark and Summit counties, calls on Stark County Prosecutor Kyle L. Stone to take the case of the two officers to the grand jury.
Aug. 30, 2024: State finishes investigation
Ohio BCI forwards its completed investigation to the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Stone’s office will determine whether to present the case to the grand jury.
Sept. 6, 2024: Police chief addresses disapproval
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard addresses criticism of his department in his first public meeting following a separate incident where a city officer kicked a man who was kneeling on the ground and had his hands up, the same month as Tyson’s death.
Nov. 1, 2024: Officers indicted
A Stark County grand jury indicts Burch and Schoenegge on charges of reckless homicide in the death of Tyson. Both officers are booked into Stark County Jail.
Nov. 4, 2024: Officers post bond
Burch and Schoenegge are released from jail after bonds of $25,000 were posted on their behalf. A bond hearing is held, but the two waive their right to appear in court. Instead, the hearing is filled with dozens of officers.
Nov. 8, 2024: Officers plead not guilty
Burch and Schoenegge enter written pleas of not guilty and waive the right to be present for their arraignments. The department places the officers back on administrative leave.
April 18, 2025: Death anniversary
Tyson’s family, friends and supporters hold a vigil at the Crenshaw Park parking lot in Canton to mark the one-year anniversary of his death.
May 2, 2025: Judge issues gag order
Stark County Common Pleas Judge Kristin G. Farmer issues a gag order to people defined as participants in the trial.
Sept. 12, 2025: Judge leaves case
Farmer recuses herself from the case, citing her marriage to a law enforcement officer as the reason. The administrative judge of Stark County Common Pleas Court, Frank G. Forchione, orders the appointment of a visiting judge by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Oct. 3, 2025: Special prosecutor sought
Senior Assistant Prosecutor Megan E. Starrett asks visiting Judge James L. Kimbler to appoint a special prosecutor for the trial. She notes issues have occurred between the prosecution and some police officers since Burch and Schoenegge were indicted.
Oct. 17, 2025: Stone off the case
Stone files a motion to recuse his office from the case.
Dec. 1, 2025: Special prosecutor picked
Kimbler appoints Marion County Prosecutor Raymond A. Grogan Jr. as the special prosecutor.
Dec. 12, 2025: Prosecutor sworn in
Kimbler swears in Grogan as special prosecutor.
Jan. 21: Trial delayed
Kimbler agrees to delay the trial after Grogan cites a scheduling conflict. The trial was later postponed multiple times.
April 7: Trial date set
Kimbler sets a new trial date for Aug. 10.
April 16: Brother files suit
Tyson’s brother, John Tyson, files a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging police used excessive force and acted recklessly during the 2024 arrest that preceded his brother’s death. He is seeking $13 million from a list of defendants that includes the city of Canton, Gabbard, Fire Chief Akbar Bennett, and Schoenegge and Burch.
Reach Aaron at 330-580-8428 or ahhughes@usatodayco.com. On X: @AaronHughe2
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Frank Tyson: A timeline of his death and the investigation into it
Reporting by Aaron Hughes, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Aaron Hughes, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
