CANTON, Ohio — Monday, the trial for two Canton police officers charged in connection with Frank Tyson's death was set to start with jury selection, but things changed at the last minute when the officers took plea deals.
The case has faced multiple delays since the officers, Camden Burch and Beau Schoenegge, were indicted on reckless homicide charges. Tyson died on April 18, 2024, while in police custody.
Burch pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge of failure to report a crime. It carries a maximum jail sentence of 30 days.
Schoenegge pleaded guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of dereliction of duty, which could carry a term of up to 90 days in jail.
As part of the plea agreement, both officers will resign immediately from the Canton Police Department.
The pair will be sentenced at a later date.
Tyson's death
Canton Police say officers found a power pole in the roadway and Tyson’s empty vehicle nearby. Witnesses later directed officers to Tyson, who was across the street at the AMVETS lodge.
Body camera video shows a struggle between Tyson and officers, before he was eventually restrained on the ground.
At one point, the video shows one officer with a knee on Tyson’s back while he was handcuffed.
During the encounter, Tyson repeatedly said he could not breathe. Officers began CPR about seven minutes after Tyson was handcuffed and continued those efforts for roughly 10 minutes.
Tyson was later pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
