Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Accidental Deaths Update

I wanted to include something about these 2 newest cases on here, but to be honest, I am at a loss. This was in yesterdays Morning Journal and thought it might shed some light on these 2 cases for those of you who don't know about them. Although part of me is jumping at the bit,,,, I have to wait to comment until I have further information and although you are always welcome to comment, please keep in mind that at this point in the game, I must give the St. Clair Township Police Officers the benifit of the doubt. That is my opinion and mine only. You can say whatever you like. This is after all still America as far as I know!



Autopsy report to precede comment

By TOM GIAMBRONI
POSTED: September 16, 2008

LISBON - Officials may have more to stay Wednesday about the case of a suspect who reportedly shot himself in the backseat of a St. Clair Township police cruiser while his hands were handcuffed behind him.
Columbiana County Coroner Dr. William Graham Jr. said he, County Prosecutor Robert Herron and other investigators are to meet Wednesday with the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy of 38-year-old Jason E. Miller. Graham said they want to discuss the results of the Miller autopsy, after which the coroner may be able to comment further about the case.
Miller, of McDonald Street, St. Clair Township, was taken into custody by township police about 8:30 p.m. Friday for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court. After being patted down by the one of the two officers, Miller was handcuffed with his hands behind his back and placed in the back of one of the police cruisers.
While an officer was going through Miller's jacket, they heard a popping sound and discovered that Miller had been shot. His hands were still secured behind his back with the handcuffs.
No other details were released about the shooting or the weapon involved, and the investigation has been turned over to the county sheriff's office to avoid the appearance of any possible conflict of interest that would arise from having St. Clair Township police conduct the probe given the circumstances. St. Clair Police Chief Don Hyatt did say he believes Miller obviously had the handgun hidden on him in a place that was missed by the officers.
New Sheriff Ray Stone was equally tight-lipped about the investigation, although he referred to the shooting as a possible suicide. He said sheriff's detectives interviewed the officers, while agents from the state crime lab - the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation - were called in to gather evidence.
Graham will withhold issuing an official cause of death until he gets the results of fingerprint tests performed on the handgun and tests for gunpowder residue and DNA, which could take some time.
It could take six to eight weeks to get the results of toxicology tests performed on Miller, but Graham said he probably won't wait until then to issue a preliminary ruling.
While in Cleveland, Graham said they also are to meet with the pathologists who performed the autopsy of Sherry L. Ieropoli, state Route 45, Lisbon, as part of their investigation into her shooting death Aug. 24.
Ieropoli's husband and their teenage son were also home at the time, although the husband was believed to be in another part of the house when the shooting occurred. Herron has identified the son as being involved in the shooting, but witness statements don't quite match the evidence.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hear is my opion on Jasons Case I knew him he was of those kind of people who would help anyone out. and HIS kids came First. HE loved everyone of them and he wouldn't put them threw this .they went threw enough when they lost their baby brother. HOW COULD YOU Shoot yourself and still be handcuffed??
I know my heart is with his Family .may god hold them close.

Anonymous said...

WAS IT SUSIDE OR HOMICIDE?I KNOW THE FAMILY PERSONALLY AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY HARD TO SHOOT YOURSELF WHILE HANDCUFFED.I WAS WITH THE FAMILY AND THE STUFF THAT WAS SAID JUST DOESNT MAKE SENSE-JASONS MOTHER TOOK HIM EARLIER IN THE DAY TO TURN HIMSRLF IN-NO BODY WOULD TAKE HIM-THEY DIDNT HAVE THE PAPERWORK-THEN THEY PICKED HIM UP ON A WARRENT-DOES THIS MAKE SENSE TO YOU.SOME ONE WIL PAY FOR THIS ONE I HOPE.YESTERDAY WAS JASONS BIRTHDAY.