CANTON − The Stark County Courthouse will see extra security during the trial of two city police officers charged in the death of Frank Tyson, a Black man who died following a struggle with officers in April 2024.
With the trial scheduled to begin Aug. 10 in Stark County Common Pleas Court, interest in the case is expected to spike again.
So does that mean the general public can step inside the courtroom and watch?
Technically, yes, but access won’t be guaranteed. Seats will be limited to reserve space for those attending the trial on behalf of Tyson or the defendants, as well as media.
However, the court has a backup plan, and if there’s no space, administrators might set up an overflow room, depending on availability, where the proceedings would be streamed using technology.
That could be necessary based on the profile of the case, which has been in the spotlight since Tyson, 53, of Canton Township, died April 18, 2024.
Two police officers, Beau Schoenegge and Camden C. Burch, have pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide, a third-degree felony.
Tyson died in police custody after telling officers he could not breathe while being restrained face down.
Before his death, Tyson drove into a utility pole, according to investigators. He abandoned the damaged car and went into the AMVETS building on Sherrick Road SE. People there, concerned about his behavior, told him to leave and called 911 seeking help to have him removed.
What can visitors expect at the Stark County Courthouse?
For those attending the trial, what are the protocols?
“The Stark County Sheriff’s Office expects a high level of public interest in this trial, and security procedures might be adjusted as needed,” the agency said in a prepared statement. “While we cannot share specific details, any changes could increase screening time. However, we do not expect visitors to experience extended delays when entering the Stark County Courthouse.”
Rules within the courtroom fall under the authority of the judge. The court has issued a decorum order, as well as rules applying to media.
Here’s a closer look at how the trial will run logistically and procedurally.
Judge’s order
In November 2024, Common Pleas Court Judge Kristin G. Farmer issued a “general decorum and media participation at all proceedings” order.
The order was updated, with a few revisions, Aug. 4. Farmer’s name has been replaced with Visiting Judge James L. Kimbler, who is presiding over the Tyson trial.
Language was added stating that “all off-duty police officers and any on-duty police officers without official business in the courthouse shall not appear in the courthouse in uniform.”
Here are other key points from the judge’s filing:
Stark County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office responded to an inquiry from the Canton Repository and provided guidance and information pertaining to security and courthouse rules:
Entering the courthouse
Although procedures may change at any time, the following rules govern courthouse entry:
Reach Ed at ed.balint@cantonrep.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok@edwardbalint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Space limited, rules in place for Canton police officers’ trial
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ed Balint, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
