Free Republic

CLEVELAND — Cleveland police made 71 arrests Saturday during protests against the Michael Brelo verdict, Police Chief Calvin Williams said Sunday. Authorities attempted to give demonstrators the space to exercise their First Amendment rights, but they had no choice but to make arrests when the protests became violent or when protesters refused to disperse, he said. Police arrested demonstrators in downtown Cleveland on Saturday night following the acquittal of a police officer who stood trial in the 2012 shooting deaths of two unarmed people. CNN video showed police in riot gear moving down East Fourth Street, a strip of restaurants,...

9:10 a.m. Officials say some protesters angry over the acquittal of a police officer charged in the deaths of two unarmed suspects became violent and turned on bystanders, including some who pepper-sprayed patrons sitting at outdoor cafes downtown. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams says 71 people were arrested Saturday night after a day of mostly peaceful protests turned more aggressive. Williams said Sunday at a news conference with Mayor Frank Jackson that another protester threw a restaurant sign at a patron, striking him in the head. He says bystanders were also accosted in at least one other instance....

A protester is taken into custody by a Cleveland police officer in a clash during demonstrations that followed the acquittal of police officer Michael Brelo. Brelo was charged with manslaughter in the November 2012 shooting deaths of two unarmed people.CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland police officers took at least three people into custody during protests following the Michael Brelo verdict. Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters and photographers witnessed at least three people taken into custody following a clash with police about 6:20 p.m. outside Quicken Loans Arena. Police officers showed pepper spray cans to others who rushed towards the fight. Most...

A Cleveland cop cleared Saturday on state charges in the deaths of two unarmed people in a 137-shot barrage of police gunfire could face federal charges. The Justice Department said after the acquittal of Officer Michael Brelo’s on voluntary manslaughter charges that it would "review all available legal options." "We will now review the testimony and evidence presented in the state trial" to determine if "additional steps are available and appropriate," the department said. Vanita Gupta, head of the department's civil rights division said the review is separate from its efforts to resolve a pattern of civil rights violations at...

Yes, Cleveland police Officer Michael Brelo stood on a car and shot 15 times at the vehicle's unarmed black occupants seconds after he and fellow officers first riddled the car with bullets in 2012 -- but the shooting was justified, a judge ruled Saturday. Concluding just one of several police use-of-force cases that prompted recent outrage in Cleveland, a Cuyahoga County judge decided that Brelo was not guilty of voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault in the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams following a 22-mile car chase.

Officer Michael Brelo is charged with two counts of voluntary manslaughter for the deaths of Timothy Russell, 43, and Malissa Williams, 30. Closing arguments in the month-long trial were presented on May 5 and Judge O’Donnell was left to deliberate. If convicted, Brelo, 31, faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison. On Nov. 29, 2012, Cleveland Police Officer Vasile Nan thought he heard a gunshot while he was outside of his cruiser on St. Clair Avenue near the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, and pursued a blue car. The resulting police chase lasted 22 minutes, and involved more than...

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A verdict in the voluntary manslaughter trial of Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo will not come until after May 18, a court spokesman said Friday. Cuyahoga Common Pleas Judge John P. O'Donnell initially said he didn't intend to issue a verdict until after Cleveland police week is over. Cleveland's police memorial commemoration runs from May 14 to 17. At the end of the trial, O'Donnell said was aware of unrest related to police use of force in other cities, including Baltimore. He also said he's been notified that city and county officials are worried about potential protests...

As the verdict nears in the racially charged case, city officials hope to avoid violence. They've reached out to civic and religious groups for constructive dialogue to help ward off potential unrest.

The latest Civil War-related historical roadside marker will be dedicated during a special ceremony next month in Cleveland. The marker commemorates the difficult time during the Civil War when much of Bradley County lay between Union and Confederate lines. During this period, homes and businesses were vandalized and robbed by both pro-Union and pro-Confederate forces who took advantage of the prevailing lawlessness. This marker also commemorates the courageous actions of War of 1812 veteran Joseph Lusk II, who at 73, defended his home with determination against a group of outlaws attempting to steal his mules. He shot and killed one...

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - All eyes are on Cleveland as the city moves closer to a verdict in Officer Michael Brelo's trial, which is why local pastors are banding together to promote peace. When the Brelo verdict comes down and the Tamir Rice investigation wraps up, will protesters be calm or violent? Bishop Eugene Ward, from the Greater Love Baptist Church, wants Cleveland to remember two simple words: peaceful protest. "We need you to be peaceful. We need you to stand with us, and show us, and walk with us, and share with us that Cleveland is a city that...

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Preparing to keep the peace in Cleveland, more than one hundred community leaders, activists, clergy, volunteers and other concerned citizens gathered Thursday night for a planning meeting at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. After watching images of Ferguson and Baltimore burning, the men want to make sure Cleveland remains safe for both citizens and businesses. “We don’t want our city to go up in flames,” said Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell, “We’re going to fight against that and keep the peace.” So far, a number of protests in the city have remained peaceful, but with some disruption of traffic...

Watch live streaming video below as the defense continues to present its case in the trial of Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo. He’s is facing two counts of voluntary manslaughter for the 2012 police chase and shooting that killed Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams. The live stream is courtesy WKYC.com and is not available on some mobile devices nor during courtroom breaks.

A Letter from Mayor Frank G. Jackson In the wake of the tragic events that unfolded in Baltimore, and bearing in mind the series of police-related matters and legal proceedings currently in process here in Cleveland, I am writing to let you know that the City of Cleveland has been planning and is prepared to address upcoming developments. As I am sure you are aware, it is likely that the trial of Officer Michael Brelo will conclude within the next few days. Other high-profile cases are still pending, as well as continued negotiations with the Department of Justice. Clearly, these...

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In light of the ongoing trial of Cleveland Officer Michael Brelo, Cleveland pastors Monday will ask for calm and order regardless of the verdict. A press conference was held at 1 p.m., and pastors spoke on the situation. “We are aware that forces outside and inside of our city are working to bring a negative view of Cleveland to the rest of the world. We want to stress how important it is for all of us to remain in a state of calm as we dialogue and respond to whatever the decision of the court,” Pastor Larry...

"He started showing me around the house, and I never got back out..." -- Cleveland kidnapping survivors Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus describe their lives in captivity https://youtu.be/GK7euCSFEXw

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A seventh police officer invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination Thursday in the voluntary manslaughter trial of fellow Cleveland officer Michael Brelo. Officer Erin O'Donnell, who participated in the Nov. 29, 2012 police chase and shootings that resulted in charges against Brelo, entered the courtroom with her attorney, Mark Stanton. Prosecutors asked her if she had told investigators the "whole story" of what happened on the night of Nov. 29, 2012, at which point O'Donnell invoked her Fifth Amendment right. After brief discussion, Judge John P. O'Donnell agreed that since the officer was present and fired...

A woman was dangling her 2-year-old son over a railing at the Cleveland zoo when he fell about 10 feet into a cheetah exhibit, zoo officials said. The toddler’s parents jumped in and pulled him to safety Saturday afternoon. He was treated at a hospital for a few bumps and bruises, said Cleveland Fire Department spokesman Larry Gray. The cheetahs didn’t go toward the boy or his parents, said Chris Kuhar, executive director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Several eyewitnesses saw the woman holding the child over the railing, Kuhar said in a statement. “While this incident is disturbing to everyone,...

Partial building collapse in downtown Cleveland, Cleveland Fire crews are on the scene of a partial building collapse on East 6th Street near Vincent Avenue in downtown Cleveland.

Forcing Americans to vote under threat of legal penalty would help to fundamentally transform America, President Obama told a town hall-style meeting in Cleveland yesterday.

The name on the card that night in May seemed to draw as much anxiety as it did excitement. Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Texas A&M. The former Heisman Trophy winner had been passed over 21 times, prompting a text from Manziel to then-Browns quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains that he wanted to "wreck this league" in Cleveland. The words were actually more R-rated, but the implication was clear. Twitter erupted at the selection. A Cleveland radio host cheered and screamed openly on air. Manziel gave his "money" sign as he walked onstage to greet Roger Goodell. By season's end, cheering had turned...