Honestly, the video is hard to watch. You've probably seen the headlines or the snippets on social media by now, but the full story of Frank Tyson in Canton Ohio is a heavy mix of tragic timing and a legal system that’s currently eating itself alive.
It started with a car crash. Just a single vehicle hitting a utility pole on Sherrick Road Southeast on a Thursday night in April 2024. But for 53-year-old Frank Tyson, that crash was the beginning of the end. He had only been out of prison for 13 days. After 24 years behind bars, he was finally free, yet he died on the floor of an AMVETS post while telling police he couldn't breathe.
It's been a long road since that night. Now, in early 2026, the case is finally reaching a boiling point in the courtroom.
The Night at AMVETS Post 124
The scene was chaotic. After the crash, Tyson reportedly fled the vehicle and ducked into a nearby AMVETS club. When Canton police officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch arrived, they didn't find a calm situation. They found a man who was clearly agitated.
The bodycam footage—which the department actually released pretty quickly—shows a struggle. Tyson is heard shouting, "They’re trying to kill me!" and "Call the sheriff!" as the officers try to get him into handcuffs. At one point, he's forced to the ground, face down.
Then comes the part that everyone is talking about. One of the officers places a knee on Tyson’s upper back/neck area.
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"I can't breathe," Tyson says.
He says it multiple times.
The officers tell him he's fine. They tell him to shut up and stop fighting. But here's the thing: once the handcuffs were on, Tyson went quiet. He went still. And then he stayed still for over five minutes while the officers stood around, joked with people in the bar, and checked his wallet.
Why the Homicide Ruling Matters
When the Stark County Coroner, Dr. Harry Campbell, released the autopsy report, it wasn't just a simple "heart attack" explanation. He ruled the death a homicide.
Specifically, the cause was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest following a physical altercation and "prone restraint." Basically, being held face-down while under stress stopped his heart. Now, the defense is definitely going to point out the other factors mentioned—cocaine, alcohol, and a pre-existing heart condition—but the coroner was clear: the restraint was a primary factor.
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The Legal Mess in 2025 and 2026
The case against Schoenegge and Burch has been anything but smooth. Both were indicted on felony reckless homicide charges in late 2024. They pleaded not guilty, which isn't surprising.
But then things got weird between the cops and the prosecutors.
Stark County Prosecutor Kyle Stone eventually had to step aside. Why? Because the relationship between his office and the Canton Police Department became "hostile." It's a mess. When the people supposed to be working together to solve a crime can't even stand to be in the same room, you know the community tension is high.
In December 2025, a judge appointed Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan as a special prosecutor to take the reins. Because of this switch, the trial—which was supposed to start in January 2026—has faced significant hurdles.
What the Defense is Arguing
You have to look at both sides to understand why this isn't an open-and-shut case in the eyes of the law. The defense attorneys, including Donald Malarcik, are leaning heavily into the "excited delirium" or medical emergency angle. They’ll argue that Tyson was already in a state of medical crisis due to the crash and the substances in his system.
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They’re bringing in use-of-force experts to say the knee on the back was a "standard" move for a resisting suspect.
On the flip side, the prosecution and the Tyson family’s attorney, Bobby DiCello, aren't having it. They point to the five-minute gap. The gap where Tyson was motionless and no one checked for a pulse. That's the "reckless" part of reckless homicide.
Key Facts You Should Know
- The Victim: Frank Tyson, 53, recently released after 24 years in prison for kidnapping and theft.
- The Officers: Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch. Both were on the traffic bureau.
- The Charge: Reckless Homicide (a third-degree felony in Ohio).
- The Timeline: The incident happened April 18, 2024. The trial is the major focus of early 2026.
- The "I Can't Breathe" Connection: This case has drawn immediate comparisons to George Floyd and Edward Bronstein, sparking protests in Canton and calls for federal intervention by the NAACP.
What Happens Next for Canton?
The city is on edge. It's not just about these two officers; it's about the trust between the Black community in Canton and the people wearing the badges.
If you're following this case, keep an eye on the testimony from the "special prosecutor." Since Ray Grogan is coming in from the outside, there’s a hope for a more "objective" look at the evidence, free from local politics.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Watch the Trial Feeds: Since this is a high-profile homicide case, Stark County courts often have media pooling. Look for live updates regarding the "expert witness" testimony, specifically the physicians.
- Review the BCI Report: The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation did the heavy lifting on the initial probe. Their findings on the "prone restraint" duration are the backbone of the prosecution's case.
- Monitor the Special Prosecutor’s Filings: Now that Grogan is in charge, look for any changes in the witness list or potential plea deals, though a trial seems most likely given the high stakes.
The case of Frank Tyson in Canton Ohio remains a stark reminder of how quickly a traffic accident can turn into a national flashpoint for civil rights and police accountability.