Veteran Cleveland Firefighter ******* ******* was indicted for Murder, Tampering With Evidence, and Felonious Assault after an allegation that he punched an 81 year old man causing him to fall and break his hip. The coroner’s office ruled that the man’s death sixteen months later was a direct result of the fall and fracture. After almost two years of pre-trial proceedings and a two and one half week trial, the jury took only two hours to find Mr. ******* Not Guilty on all counts. As a result of the case, the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s office was criticized by the jury causing intense public scrutiny of the office in the media.
