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Frank Tyson's death in Canton: Police officers Camden Burch and Beau Schoenegge plead not guilty to reckless homicide

Police body camera video showed the moments leading up to Tyson's death in April as he told officers, 'I can't breathe.'

CANTON, Ohio — Just a few days after bond was set at $25,000 for Camden Burch and Beau Schoenegge -- the two Canton police officers charged with reckless homicide in connection to the death of Frank Tyson -- were set for arraignment on Friday morning.

The hearing didn't happen, however, as both Burch and Schoenegge entered a written plea of not guilty. 3News has also learned that both are out after posting bond.

It's unclear when the next court hearing will be held.

Burch and Schoenegge, who are each 24 years old, could face up to three years in prison if convicted of reckless homicide, which is a third-degree felony.

Neither attended their bond hearing on Monday after waiving their right to appear. You can watch that full hearing in the video below:

RELATED: Bond set at $25,000 for Canton police officers charged with reckless homicide in connection with death of Frank Tyson: Watch video from the court

CASE DETAILS

The situation dates back to April 18 when police responded to the AMVETS on Sherrick Road Southeast where authorities said Tyson arrived after crashing his car nearby.

In a release from April 19, police stated that Tyson struggled with the officers before they secured him, and that the officers noticed he was unresponsive "shortly after securing him in handcuffs." After performing CPR and administering multiple doses of Narcan, Tyson was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Canton police said it immediately contacted the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to conduct "an independent investigation of the incident."

On April 24, Canton police released body camera footage showing the moments leading up to Tyson’s death, and the footage included Tyson's last words as he told officers, "I can't breathe."

In all, the 35-minute, 46-second video shows officers arriving to the scene, confronting Tyson, and attempting to take him into custody. One of the officers was seen putting his knee on Tyson's upper body for roughly 30 seconds. After Tyson's last words, the video also shows a period of five-plus minutes where he laid motionless on the floor before police checked for a pulse.

Both Schoenegge and Burch were placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy.

In August, while BCI continued their investigation, the Stark County Coroner's Office ruled Tyson’s death a homicide. Chief Investigator Harry Campbell said the autopsy showed two causes of death:

  • Cardio Pulmonary Arrest in association with physical altercation and prone restraint.
  • Ischemic Cardio Vascular Disease and acute intoxication by cocaine and ethanol.

The autopsy also listed obesity as a "significant condition" in Tyson's death.

Charges against Burch and Schoenegge were confirmed during a press conference Saturday.

"Now we know who the bad guy is, and it wasn't Frank," DiCello said after the charges were announced. "It's official. The indictment tells you who to focus on now. The narrative has changed." 

RELATED: 'The narrative has changed': Attorney Bobby DiCello discusses indictment of Canton police officers in death of Frank Tyson

Rev. Al Sharpton came to Canton in May where he delivered the eulogy at Tyson's funeral.

“Frank Tyson’s cries of ‘I can’t breathe’ are ones we have heard far too often when Black men and women die in police custody,” said Rev. Sharpton. “Once again, we have seen footage of those pleas for help not only ignored but dismissed by officers using excessive force -- who then left him to lie unconscious for several minutes. I have answered the family’s call to deliver Frank’s eulogy and remain committed to delivering justice for them.”

RELATED: Rev. Al Sharpton gives eulogy at funeral for Frank E. Tyson, man who died in Canton police custody

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